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14.^'! '^iX^- •>.^ .  .>  .   ^ 


THE 


DISCIPLINE 


OF    THE 


SOCIETY   OF    FRIENDS, 


OF 


II¥DIA]VA  YEARLY   MEETII^O, 

REVISED  BY  THE  MEETING 

Held  at  White  Water,  in  the  year  1838,    and 
printed  by  direction  of  the  same. 


CINCINNATI: 

A.  PUGH,  PR.,  CORNER  FIFTH  AND  MAIN  ST. 
1839. 


/  $3  s 


h 


INDEX. 


Page. 

ADVICES— General,  79 

To  Ministers  and  Elders, • 81 

APPEALS— General  rules  respecting, 13 

Manner  of  proceeding  with  females, 14 

Subordinate  meetings  may  assume  the  consideration  of 
offences,  after  their  proceedings  may  have  been  decided 

to  be  irregular, 14 

ARBITRATIONS— General  rules  for  conducting, 14 

Parties  to  enter  into  bond, 15 

Parties  refusing  to  abide  award  should  be  complained  of,  15 

Rules  for  second  reference, IG 

Legal  advice  to  be  taken  at  joint  expense  of  the  parties, 

when  necessary, 16 

Cases  where  resort  to  law  may  be  admissible,  viz.  those 
in  which  absconding  debtors,  bankrupts,  executors,  ad- 
ministrators, and  trustees  are  concerned, 17 

Proceedings  where  reference  is  unnecessary, 17 

Friends  in  the  ministry  not  to  be  chosen  as  arbitrators,-   18 
BIRTHS  AND  DEATHS~Two  members  to  be  appointed  to 

attend  funerals, 1J^ 

Proposals  for  meetings  at  funerals  to  be  submitted  to  the 

elders  and  overseers, 18 

Two  or  more  Friends  to  be  appointed  to  the  care  of  burying 

grounds, 19 

Burying  grounds  to  be  kept  enclosed  and  in  decent  order,-  19 

Records  of  births  and  deaths  to  be  kept, 19 

Forms, 20 

BLASPHEMY  AND  PROFANITY, 26 

BOOKS,— Meeting  for  Sufferings  to  examine  all  writings  which 

relate  to  our  religious  principles, 20 

Heads  of  families  to  prevent  the  perusal  of  pernicious 

publications, 20 

Plays,  romances,  and  novels,  to  be  suppressed, 21 


M  ^^ 


I    ^  V 


IV.  INDEX. 

Page. 
CERTIFICATES,— Form  of  a  certificate  of  removal, 97 

Form  of  a  marriage  certificate, 41 

Those  for  travailing  Friends  to  be  recorded  and  seasona- 
bly returned, oj 

Tiiose  for  residents  to  be  lodged  with  the  Monthly  Meeting,  21 

A  record  of  all  certificates  issued,  to  be  kept 21 

Monthly  Meetings  should  send  certificates  where  mem- 
bers remove  withoutthem, 22 

Proceedings  where  offenders  remove, 22 

Proceedings  where  females  remove, 23 

Proceedings  when  apprentices  or  minors  remove, 23 

Disorderly  persons  appearing  as  members — how  to   be 

treated  with, 23 

Certificates  the  property  of  Monthly  Meetings, 24 

CHARITY  AND  UNITY, 24 

CIVIL  GOVERNMENT.— Members  exhorted  to  decline  offices, 
tlie  duties  of  which  may  be  inconsistent  with  our  reli- 
gious principles, 24 

Proceedings  with  those  who  do  not, 25 

CLERKS.— Annua)  appointment  of, 96 

CONDUCT  AND  CONVERSATION.— Proceedings  with  any 
who  may  be  guilty  of  lying,  drunkenness,  swearing, 
cursing,  and  other  immoral  or  scandalous  practices,---  26 
Blasphemy  and  profanity,  and  denial  of  the  divinity  of 

Christ, 26 

Justice  in  dealings  to  be  strictly  observed, 26 

CONVINCED  PERSONS.— Rule  of  admission  to  membership,  27 

In  cases  of  females, 28 

CURSING, 26 

DAYS  AND  TIMES, 28 

DEFAMATION  AND  DETRACTION, 30 

DISCIPLINE  AND  MEETINGS  FOR  DISCIPLINE, 31 

Admonition  to  ba  extended  to  those  who  break  the  Disci- 
pline,   31 

Connexion  and  subordination  of  meetings, 31 

Rules  for  setting  up  and  laying  down  meetings, 31 

Fair  records  of  proceedings  to  be  kept, 32 

Monthly  Meetings  should  apply  to  Quarters  for  assistance 
in  matters  too  weighty  or  difficult  for  them  to  determine,  32 


INDEX.  V. 

Page. 
Copies  of  minutes,  &.c.  to  be  granted  where  requested  by 

another  Quarterly  or  Monthly  Meeting, 33 

The  same  may  be  granted  or  refused  to  individuals. 33 

Offenders  not  to  sit  in  meetings  for  discipline  after  the 

charge  is  entered,  until  the  case  is  determined,-  33 

Meetings  for  discipline  to  be  kept  select, 33 

Representatives  to  be  appointed  by  Monthly  Meetings  to 

Quarter, 33 

Reports  to  be  sent  up  signed  by  the  Clerk, 33 

Reasons  for  non-attendance  to  be  forwarded, 33 

Representatives  not  to  withdraw  without  leave, 34 

Account  of  sufferings  to  be  kept, 34 

The   same  to  be  annually  forwarded  to  Quarter,  and 

thence  to  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings, 34 

Jugglers,  Fortune -Tellers,  and  such  like, 34 

Clerks — a  committee  ro  be  annually  appointed  to  nomi- 
nate,    34 

Preparative  meetings  to  forward  complaints  and  other 

business  seasonably, 35 

DIVINITY  OF  CHRIST, 26 

DRUNKENNESS,  26 

DANCING, 35 

DIVORCES.— None  to  be  permitted, 42 

FREEMASONS, 35 

FEASTS  AND  HOLYDAYS, 29 

FORTUNE-TELLERS, 34 

GAMING  AND  DIVERSIONS, 35 

HORSE  RACES, 35 

HIRELING  MINISTERS, 75 

IMMORAL  AND  SCANDALOUS  PRACTICES, 26 

JUSTICE, -  26 

JUGGLERS, 34 

LAW, 36 

Members  withholding  debt  to  be  urged  to  payment, 36 

Rules  for  insolvency, 36 

Insolvent  debtors  should  pay  if  they  should  ever  after 

become  able, 36 

Members  not  to  be  sued  contrary  to  Discipline, 37 

LYING, 26 

^1* 


Vi.  INDEX. 

Page. 
MARRIAGES,  37 

Certificates  of  clearness  to  be  obtained  where  marriage  ie 

to  be  accomplished  in  another  Monthly  Meeting, 37 

Consent  of  parents  or  guardians  to  be  obtained, 38 

No  marriage  is  to  be  allowed  sooner  than  a  year  after  the 

decease  of  a  former  wife  or  husband, 38 

No  grounds  to  be  furnished  for  evil  reports,  &c. 38 

Unnecessary  expense  at  entertainments  and  large  com- 
panies discouraged, 38 

Members  are  not  to  attend  marriages  performed  by  a 

priest,  or  contrary  to  our  order, 39 

Nor  are  they  to  consent  to  their  childrens'  being  present,  39 

General  rules  for  the  accomplishment  of  marriage, 39 

In  case  of  a  widow,  having  children, 40 

Marriage  certificate, 41 

No  divorces  permitted, 42 

Marriages  of  persons  too  near  akin  to  be  prevented, 42 

Parents  and  guardians  to  be  dealt  with  who  promote  mar- 
riages contrary  to  our  order, 43 

MEETING  HOUSES, 46 

MEETINGS  FOR  DISCIPLINE  TO  BE  KEPT  SELECT,-  33 

MEETING  FOR  SUFFERINGS, 47 

How  constituted  and  when  to  be  held, 47 

Rules  of  its  business, 47 

What  matters  it  may  take  cognizance  of, 48 

Approved  Ministers,  &c.  to  have  aseat, 49 

MEETINGS  FOR  WORSHIP, 49 

Those  who  conduct  disorderly  in  such  meetings,  or  neglect 

to  attend,  should  be  treated  with, 49 

MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS,  and  their  meetings, 52 

Rules  for  the  appointment  of  Elders, 54 

Elders  not  to  remain  such  after  removal, 55 

Rules  for  recommending  Ministers, 55 

Rules  for  liberating  Ministers  to  travel, 56 

Ministers  not  to  appoint  meetings  beyond  their  Quarterly 

Meeting,  without  leave, 56 

No  meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  to  interfere  with  the 
business  of  any  meeting  for  Discipline,  nor  with  the 
sittings  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  58 


INDEX.  Vll. 

Page. 

Treatment  of  unfaithful  Ministers, 58 

MODERATION  AND  TEMPERANCE, 58 

Rales  respecting  the  use,  &c.  of  ardent  spirits, 60 

MUSIC, 35 

NEGROES  AND  SLAVES, 60 

OATHS, 64 

OFFENDERS  not  to  sit  in  meetings  for  Discipline, 33 

OVERSEERS, 65 

PARENTS  AND  CHILDREN, 66 

Vain  and  extravagant  fashions,  &c.  to  be  avoided, 69 

PLAINNESS  IN  DRESS  AND  ADDRESS, 70 

POOR, 74 

Women  to  inspect  and  relieve  the  wants  of  their  own  sex,  75 

PRIEST'S  WAGES, 75 

PREPARATIVE  MEETINGS  to  forward  complaints  seasona- 
bly,   35 

PRIZE  GOODS, 92 

QUERIES,— General, 76 

Annual, 78 

For  Ministers  and  Elders, 80 

REPRESENTATIVES, 33 

REPORTS, 33 

SCHOOLS,. 81 

SUFFERINGS,— Account  of,  to  be  kept, 34 

SCRIPTURES, 82 

STOCK, 83 

STAGE  PLAYS, 35 

SWEARING, 26 

TAVERNS, 83 

TESTIFICATION,— Form  of- 97 

TESTIMONIES   OF   DENIAL    AND    ACKNOWLEDG- 
MENTS,   84 

TALE-BEARING, 30 

TRADE, 86 

Accounts  should  be  kept  clear  and  accurate, - 88 

One  creditor  not  to  be  paid  in  preference  to  another, 88 

Creditors  should  be  called  together,  where  failure  is  pro- 
bable,   88 

Subscriptions,  donations,  or  bequests  not  to  be  received 


Vni.  INDEX. 

Page, 
from  insolvent  persona,  previously  to  tlie  payinf m  of 

their  just  debts. 89 

Assignees  and  Trustees  should  be  prompt  in  their  ;  .nion,  89 

WAR, 91 

Rules  respecting  distraints,  furnishing  convey.'\mo    .'or 

military  stores,  &c. •  91 

Tax  for  purchasing  drums,  &c.  cannot  be  paid, ••• 9:2 

Attending  at  military  operations,  orjoiningwithp    iucal 

devices,  to  be  avoided, 92 

Also  the  purchasing  or  selling  of  prize  goods, 92 

No  fines,  penalties,  or  taxes,  to  be  paid  instead  of  person- 
al services  about  war,  either  directly  or  indirectly,-  •  '^.3 

WILLS, 94 

YEARLY  MEETING, 95 

The  time  of  holding, 95 

Representatives  to  meet  and  choose  a  clerk, 96 

Communications  from  other  sources  except  usual  corres- 
pondents, to  be  examined  by  a  nomination, 96 


INTRODUCTION. 


In  the  morning  of  the  gospel  day,  the  apostles  and 
disciples  found  it  necessary  to  meet  together  for  the 
consolation  and  strength  one  of  another;  when,  pur- 
suant to  the  nature  and  design  of  the  gospel,  which 
brought  peace  on  earth  and  good  will  to  men,  a  care 
arose  for  the  edification  of  the  church,  and  that  all, 
being  of  one  family,  might  be  of  one  mind. 

And  as  it  hath  pleased  the  great  Head  of  the 
Church,  to  gather  us  a  people  to  himself,  and  to  in- 
spire us  with  degrees  of  the  same  universal  love  and 
good  will,  by  which  was  ushered  in  the  dispensation 
of  the  gospel,  we  are  engaged  not  only  to  meet 
together  for  the  worship  of  God,  but  also  for  the 
exercise  of  a  christian  care  over  each  other,  for  the 
preservation  of  all  in  unity  of  faith  and  practice, 
answerable  to  the  description  which  He,  the  ever 
blessed  shepherd,  gave  of  his  flock,  "by  this  shall  all 
men  know  that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  have  love 
one  to  another."     John  xiii.  35. 

For  this  important  end,  and  as  an  exterior  hedge 
of  preservation  to  us,  against  the  many  temptations 
and  dangers  to  which  we  are  exposed,  the  following 
rules,  which  have  been  occasionally  adopted  by  the 
society,  now  form  our  code  of  discipline.  In  the 
exercise  whereof,  it  is  to  be  observed  that  if  any 
member  be  found  in  a  conduct  subversive  of  its 
order,  or  repugnant  to  the  testimonies  with  which 
we  believe  we  are  entrusted  for  the  promotion  of 
truth  and  righteousness,  it  becomes  our  indispensa- 
ble duty  to  treat  with  such  in  christian  meekness 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

and  brotlicrly  compassion,  without  unnecessary  de- 
lay or  improper  exposure;  according  to  the  direc- 
tion of  our  Jiord  to  his  church,  "if  thy  brother  shall 
trespass  againsi.  thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault,  be- 
tween thee  and  him  alone:  if  he  shall  hear  thee, 
thou  hast  gained  a  brother;  but  if  he  will  not  hear 
thee,  then  take  with  thee  one  or  two  more,  that  in 
the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses  every  worifi 
may  be  established.  And  if  he  shall  neglect  to  hear 
them,  tell  it  unto  the  church;  but  if  he  neglect  to 
hear  the  church;  let  him  be  unto  thee  as, a  heathen 
man,  and  a  publican."  Matt.  chap,  xviii.  15, 16,  17. 

Tins  is  the  extent  of  the  censure  of  the  society 
against  irreclaimable  offenders,  and  whilst  we  dis- 
own them  from  being  members  of  our  religious  com- 
munity, it  is  recommended  to  be  done  in  such  a 
disposition  of  mind,  as  may  convince  them,  that  we 
sincerely  desire  their  recovery  and  restoration. 
From  the  right  exercise  hereof,  w^e  believe  no  de- 
gree of  persecution  or  imposition  can  be  justly 
inferred;  for  the  imposition  rests  on  the  part  of  those 
who  (as  has  sometimes  happened)  insist  on  being 
retained  as  members,  whilst  at  open  variance  with 
our  religious  body,  either  in  principle  or  practice. 

For  the  more  regular  and  effectual  support  of  the 
order  of  the  society,  it  will  be  observed,  tliat  besides 
the  usual  meetings  for  the  purpose  of  divine  worship, 
others  for  the  exercise  of  our  Discipline  are  insti- 
tuted, subordinate  to  each  other;  all  of  which  are 
either  immediately  or  remotely  accountable  to  the 
Yearly  Meeting.  These  meetings  have  distinct 
allotments  of  service,  and  experience  has  abundantly 
shown,  that  when  this  service  is  attended  to  in  up- 
rightness and  dedication  of  heart,  with  a  single  eye 
to  the  honor  of  our  holy  Head,  and  the  benefit  and 
edification  one  of  another,  in  the  love  wherewith  he 
hath  loved  us,  our  assemblies  are  favored  with  his 
aid  and  direction. 


INTRODUCTION.  1 1 

Although  this  code  of  Discipline  is  printed  for  the 
use  of  our  own  society,  yet  should  it  meet  the  public 
eye,  it  is  not  doubted  but  the  serious  and  candid 
reader  will  observe  throughout  the  whole, the  earnest 
endeavors  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  for  the  promotion 
of  virtue  and  religion. 

And  whilst  we  earnestly  recommend  this  work  to 
the  notice  and  regard  of  Friends,  we  are  not  without 
a  clear  prospect  that  an  acquaintance  with  the  letter 
of  our  Discipline,  will  be  insufficient  to  produce  the 
desired  effect,  unless,  in  the  exercise  thereof,  w^e  are 
careful  to  move  and  act  under  the  immediate  influ- 
ence of  the  spirit  of  Christ,  in  the  pure  love  of  the 
gospel. 

May  we  therefore,  in  our  meetings  for  the  exer- 
cise of  the  Discipline,  humbly  seek  to  be  clothed 
with  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  charity;  this  will  divest 
the  mind  of  a  dependence  on  our  own  strength  and 
abilities,  endue  us  with  patience  and  condescension 
towards  each  other,  and  being  preserved  in  fellow- 
ship agreeably  to  the  declaration  of  our  Lord,  "  One 
is  your  Master,  even  Christ,  and  all  ye  are  brethren," 
a  qualification  will  be  experienced  in  our  several 
stations  and  movements  to  build  up  one  another  in 
that  faith  which  works  by  love,  to  the  purifying  of 
the  heart. 

Nor  can  we  conclude,  without  desiring  in  an  es- 
pecial manner,  that  our  youth  of  the  present  and 
succeeding  generations  may  be  early  and  fully 
instructed  in  our  religious  principles^  and  in  the 
nature  and  design  of  our  Christian  Discipline;  and 
through  divine  assistance  be  enabled  to  adorn  our 
holy  profession  by  a  conversation  and  conduct  con- 
sistent with  godliness  and  honesty;  thereby  avoiding 
the  reproach  which  many,  through  a  defection  in 
principle,  or  a  degeneracy  in  practice,  have  brought, 
both  upon  themselves  and  the  religious  body  of 
which  they  profess  to  be  members. 


THE  DISCIPIiliVE 

OF  THE  SOCIETY  OF  FRIENDS,   OF  INDIANA 
YEARLY  MEETING. 


APPEALS. 


Whilst  the  Yearly  meeting,  in  granting  the  liberty 
of  an  appeal,  considers  it  as  a  precious  privilege,  it 
is  affectionately  desired  that  all  may  be  careful  how 
they  encourage  persons  of  improper  dispositions  to 
trouble  superior  meetings  therewith. 

If  any  be  dissatisfied  with,  or  think  themselves 
aggrieved  by  the  judgment  of  a  Monthly  meeting, 
they  may,  after  a  copy  of  the  testimony  of  disown- 
ment  is  delivered  to  them,  notify  the  first  or  second 
Monthly  meeting  following,  (but  no  other)  of  their 
intention  of  appealing  to  the  ensuing  Quarterly 
meeting,  which  notification,  the  Monthly  meeting 
should  enter  on  its  minutes,  and  appoint  four  or 
more  Friends,  to  attend  the  Quarterly  meeting, 
with  copies  of  the  proceedings  relative  to  the  case, 
signed  by  the  clerk,  there  to  shew  the  reasons 
whereon  that  judgment  was  founded.  The  Quar- 
terly meeting  is  then  to  refer  the  same  to  a  solid 
committee  of  Friends,  noticing  the  propriety  of  any 
objection  made  by  the  appellant  against  persons 
thus  nominated,  (omitting  those  of  the  Monthly 
meeting  from  which  the  appeal  comes,)  and  to 
confirm  or  reverse  the  said  judgment,  as  on  im- 
partial examination,  shall  appear  to  be  right. 

When  the  Quarterly  meeting's  committee  report 
their  judgment,  and  the  meeting  is  satisfied  there- 
with, then  a  committee  should  be  appointed  to 
inform  the  appellant  of  the  meeting's  decision  in 
2 


1 4  ARBITRATIONS. 

the  case.  The  committee  should  give  him  the 
information  as  soon  after  the  Quarier  as  is  practica- 
ble, and  report  to  next  meeting;  and  if  the  appellant 
is  dissatisfied  with  the  meeting's  decision,  he  may 
notify  the  first  or  second  Quarterly  meeting  after 
he  receives  such  information,  of  his  further  inten- 
tion of  appealing  to  the  Yearly  meeting,  but  not 
afterwards.  The  said  Quarterly  meeting,  after 
recording  such  notification,  is  in  like  manner  to 
appoint  at  least  three  Friends,  to  attend  the  Yearly 
meeting,  with  copies  of  the  records  of  both  Monthly 
and  Quarterly  meetings  in  the  case,  signed  by  their 
clerks;  here  it  is  to  be  finally  determined,  and  a 
copy  of  the  determination  is  to  be  sent  to  the 
Quarterly  meeting  from  which  the  appeal  came. 
Notices  of  appeals  are  to  be  forwarded  from 
subordinate  to  superior  meetings,  in  the  regular 
reports  of  such  meetings. 

In  all  cases  of  appeals,  in  which  a  female  is  an 
appellant,  the  notice  should  be  first  given  to  the 
women's  meeting,  and  by  them  forwarded  to  the 
men's,  and  the  business  afterwards  conducted  by 
joint  committees  of  men  and  women  Friends  ;  the 
report  of  which  united  committee,  is  to  be  made  to 
each  meeting,  and  the  women's  meeting,  having 
considered  the  same,  are  to  convey  their  sense 
thereon  to  the  men's  meeting,  where  the  subject 
should  be  considered  and  finally  settled. 

But  when  the  proceedings  of  a  subordinate 
meeting  are  nullified  in  consequence  of  irregular 
proceedings,  said  meeting,  or  the  overseers  shall  be 
at  liberty  to  resume  the  consideration  of  the 
offence,  and  to  proceed  therein,  according  to  gospel 
order. 

AUBITRATIONS. 
When  differences  arise  between  our  members  in 
regard  to  their  property,  they  are  to  proceed  in  the 
following  manner : 


ARBITRATIONS.  15 


The  party  who  thinks  him  or  herself  aggrieved, 
should  in  the  first  place,  calmly  and  kindly,  request 
the  other  to  comply  with  the  demand  ;  and,  if  this 
be  disputed,  the  complainant,  or  if  residing  at  too 
great  a  distance,  some  Friend  whom  he  or  she  may 
authorize,  should  take  with  him  one  or  two  of  the 
overseers,  or  other  discreet  Friends,  and  in  their 
presence  repeat  the  demand. 

If  this  step  also  fail  of  the  desired  effect,  the 
parties  should  be  advised  to  choose  a  suitable 
number  of  friends  as  arbitrators,  and  mutually 
engage,  by  bond,  or  other  written  instrument 
adapted  to  the  occasion,  to  abide  by  their  deter- 
mination. 

Should  this  proposal  be  acceded  to,  and  arbitrators 
accordingly  chosen ;  they  ought  as  speedily  as 
circumstances  will  admit,  to  appoint  a  time  and 
place,  and  attend  to  the  business  without  unneces- 
sary delay  ;  giving  the  parties  a  fair  and  full  hearing, 
in  the  presence  of  each  other,  but  listening  to 
neither  of  them  apart,  nor  suffering  their  own 
sentiments  to  be  known  abroad,  till  they  have  fully 
digested  the  subject,  and  come  to  a  clear  decision  ; 
which  they  should  be  careful  to  do  within  the  time 
agreed  on. 

But  if  either  of  the  parties  refuse  to  submit  the 
matter  in  dispute,  to  arbitrators ;  or,  when  that  is 
done,  neglect  to  give  his  or  her  attendance  when 
desired,  without  assigning  a  sufficient  reason ;  or 
not  abide  by  their  award  when  issued  ;  in  either  of 
these  cases,  the  person  so  offending,  should  be 
complained  of  to  the  Monthly  meeting  of  which  he 
or  she  is  a  member  ;  and  if  the  brotherly  endeavors 
and  admonition  of  society  in  this  capacity,  fail  to 
produce  a  conformity  to  justice  in  the  case,  the 
said  meeting  should  proceed  to  disown  the  offender, 
unless  such  person  make  it  evident  to  the  satisfac- 
tion of  the  meeting,  that  the  award  or  proceedings 
have   been  erroneous  or  unjust.      In  which  case, 


16  ARBITRATIONS. 

the  matter  in  dispute  may  be  referred  to  the  same, 
or  other  arbitrators,  as  the  meeting  shall  judge  best; 
and  their  award  shall  be  final.  Or  should  either 
party  be  dissatisfied  with  the  award,  and  the  sub- 
ject not  be  carried  forward  as  a  complaint,  the 
party  so  dissatisfied,  may  apply  to  the  Monthly 
meeting  of  which  the  other  party  is  a  member,  for 
the  privilege  of  another  arbitration.  In  which  case, 
a  judicious  committee  should  be  appointed  to 
examine  the  grounds  of  the  complaint;  and  should 
it  be  made  appear  that  the  award  is  erroneous 
or  unjust,  (but  not  otherwise,)  another  trial  may  be 
granted  before  the  same  or  other  arbitrators,  at  the 
discretion  of  the  meeting,  for  a  final  decision. 

After  which,  if  either  of  the  parties  at  variance, 
prove  so  regardless  of  peace  and  unity,  as  not  to 
acquiesce  in  such  confirmed,  or  corrected  deter- 
mination, the  Monthly  meeting  to  which  he  or  she 
belongs,  should  proceed  to  issue  a  testimony  against 
the  person  so  refusing. 

Where  arbitrators  are  at  a  loss  for  want  of  legal 
knowledge,  it  will  be  proper  for  them,  at  the  joint 
expense  of  the  parties,  to  take  the  opinion  of 
counsel  learned  in  the  law,  in  order  to  qualify  them 
forgiving  a  proper  judgment  in  the  matter  referred 
to  them.  And  that  they  may  the  better  answer 
the  end  of  their  appointment,  and  be  helpful  in 
conciliating  the  minds  of  the  parties,  they  ought  not 
to  consider  themselves  as  advocates  for  those  by 
whom  they  are  chosen,  but  as  men  whose  duty  it  is 
to  judge  righteously,  fearing  the  Lord.  They 
should  shun  all  previous  information  respecting  the 
case;  or,  having  heard  any  thing  in  regard  to  it, 
remain  as  much  as  possible  unbiased  thereby. 
They  should  reject  no  evidence  or  witness  pro- 
posed ;  nor  receive  any,  but  in  the  presence  of  both 
parties;  and,  in  their  award,  they  need  not  assign 
any  reason  for  their  determination. 

And  whereas  there  may  be  some  circumstances 


ARBITRATIONS.  1 7 

even  in  disputed  matters,  wherein  the   foregoing 
equitable  mode  of  proceeding  cannot  be  complied 
with;    such    as,    first,   the    party    absconding,   or 
leaving  the  country  with  design  to  defraud  his  or 
her  creditors  ;  or,  second,  apparent  danger  of  bank- 
ruptcy, or  being  overloaded   with  debts,  and  other 
creditors  generally  coming  on,  which  would  occa- 
sion manifest  damage  to  the  claimant,  by  the  time 
it  would  take  in  pursuing  the  above  method;  or, 
third,  where  there  may  be  danger  of  damage,  as  in 
case  of  executors,  administrators,  or   trustees  :  it 
may  therefore  be  necessary,  and  it  is  directed,  that 
the  Monthly  meetings  where  such   cases  happen, 
and  on  due  inquiry  appear  truly  so,  do  hold  excused 
such  as  shall  in  the  two  first  mentioned  cases  in 
this  paragraph,  appear  to  them  really  necessiated  to 
proceed  at  law  ;  and  in  the  latter  case,  of  executors, 
administrators,  or  trustees,  where  it  shall  appear  to 
the  meeting,  that  the  matter  is  of  importance,  and 
that  our  friendly  way  would  be  unsafe,  such  may 
be  permitted  to  have  the  matter  tried  at  law,  with 
this  caution,  that  the  parties  on  both  sides,  behave 
towards  each  other  in  brotherly  love,  decency,  and 
moderation,  without  anger   or   animosity  ;    which 
will  be  a  becoming  testimony,  even  in  courts,  and 
show  that  nothing  but  the  nature  of  the  case,  and 
our  station  in  common  with  others,  under  the  laws 
of  the  land,  take  any  of  us  there. 

As  it  may  sometimes  occur  that  a  member,  either 
for  want  of  a  clear  understanding  of  the  business, 
or  through  an  improper  influence,  may  present  a 
complaint  against  another  member,  wherein  the 
overseers,  after  fully  hearing  both  parties,  being 
decidedly  of  opinion  that  the  case  does  not  require 
a  reference,  they  are  to  advise  a  speedy  settlement 
thereof;  which  being  ineffectual,  and  the  com- 
plainant remaining  dissatisfied  therewith,  he  may 
have  liberty  to  inform  the  Preparative  meeting, 
2* 


18  BIRTHS    AND    DEATHS. 

where  tiic  other  party  is  a  member,  (without  men- 
tioning any  name,)  that  having  a  matter  in  dispute 
with  one  of  their  members,  he  is  desirous  of  their 
assistance  in  order  to  a  settlement  thereof.  The 
said  meeting  is  then  to  appoint  a  committee  who 
are  to  give  such  advice  and  assistance  in  the  case 
as  they  may  apprehend  necessary,  but  should  they 
concur  with  the  overseers,  that  a  reference  would 
not  be  proper,  the  complainant  may  have  the 
privilege  of  requesting  the  assistance  of  the  Monthly 
meeting,  in  like  manner,  where  the  question  is  to 
be  finally  determined  whether  the  dispute  ought 
to  be  submitted  to  referees,  or  the  complaint 
dismissed. 

It  is  the  desire  of  the  Yearly  meeting,  that  our 
members  differing  on  account  of  worldly  affairs,  do 
avoid  as  much  as  possible  to  engage  Friends  in  the 
ministry  as  arbitrators  in  such  cases. 

BIRTHS  AND  DEATHS. 

Two  or  more  suitable  Friends  of  each  particular 
meeting,  should  be  appointed  by  Monthly  meetings 
to  attend  at  the  funerals  of  our  members,  lor  the 
assistance  of  those  concerned,  and  to  see  that  good 
order  is  observed. 

In  order  that  meetings  may  not  be  held  at  the 
interment  of  our  deceased  members,  in  a  formal 
way,  or  as  a  customary  circumstance,  the  proposal 
for  holding  any  such  meeting,  should  be  previously 
submitted  to  the  consideration  of  the  elders  and 
overseers,  (or  other  solid  Friends,)  either  of  the 
meeting  to  which  the  deceased  belonged,  or  of  that 
within  the  compass  of  which  the  interment  is  to 
take  place;  that  the  direction  of  truth  may  be 
waited  for  and  followed. 

And  to  prevent  the  introduction  of  improper 
interments  amongst  us — two  or  more  Friends 
should  be  appointed  by  Monthly  or  Preparative 


BIRTHS    AND    DEATHS.  '    *-  JQ 

meetings,  (as  the  case  may  require.)  to  the  care  of  our 
several  burying  grounds,  and  that  no  person  who  was 
not  a  member  be  buried  therein,  without  a  written 
permit,  signed  by  one  or  two  of  those  Friends; 
who  should  take  care  that  such  interment  comport 
with  our  plain  order  :  also  that  our  burial  grounds 
be  properly  enclosed  and  kept  in  decent  order. 

It  is  further  desired,  as  becoming  the  solemnity 
of  the  occasion,  that  at  all  interments,  time  be 
allowed  for  a  pause,  both  before  and  after  the 
corpse  is  put  into  the  ground,  in  order  that  the 
impressive  iufluence  of  an  occasion  so  awful,  may 
have  its  proper  effect  upon  the  minds  of  those  who 
are  present. 

Friends  are  also  enjoined,  to  maintain  our  testi- 
mony against  affixing  monuments  of  any  description 
to  graves,  for  the  purpose  of  distinction,  in  any  one 
of  our  burying  grounds  ;  and  if  any  yet  remain 
therein,  that  they  be  forthwith  removed ;  and  that 
they  avoid  the  imitation  of  the  custom  of  wearing 
or  giving  mourning  habits,  and  all  extravagant 
expenses  on  account  of  the  interment  of  the  dead. 

As  great  inconvenience  may  arise  from  a  want 
of  due  attention  to  keeping  a  regular  record  of 
births  and  deaths,  it  is  enjoined  upon  each  Monthly 
meeting,  to  appoint  a  careful  Friend,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be,  to  keep  in  a  book  provided  at  the 
expense  of  the  Monthly  meeting,  for  the  purpose,  a 
record  of  all  births  and  deaths  of  members,  which 
occur  withm  their  respective  limits,  or  which  shall 
be  offered  to  him  for  that  purpose.  But  should  the 
birth  have  occurred  out  of  the  limits  of  the  meeting 
within  which  it  may  be  desired  to  record  it,  an 
explanatory  note  should  be  inserted  in  the  record. 
And  in  order  to  engage  the  attention  of  Monthly 
meetings  more  closely  to  this  subject,  it  is  further 
enjoined,  that  committees  be  appointed  annually  to 
examine  the  records,  and  to  extend  such  care  as 
may  appear  necessary  to  effect  the  object. 


20 


BOOKS. 


The  followinfr  forms  of  the  records  are  proposed, 
being  both  simple  and  explicit. 

BIRTHS. 


Names  of  ihe         'Wlicn 
Children.              born. 

1     Names  of  the     1     Their  resi- 
1         Parents.          |        dence. 

Occasional 
notes. 

DEATHS. 

Names  of  the      |     When  1 
deceased.         |     dec'd.    | 

Age. 

Where     |      Late  re-     1     Occasional 
buried,     j     sidence.       j          notes. 

1 

BOOKS. 

It  being  a  business  assigned  to  the  Meeting  for 
Sufferings,  to  take  the  oversight  of  all  writings 
proposed  to  be  printed,  which  relate  to  our  religious 
principles  or  testimonies,  our  members  who  may 
have  it  in  prospect  to  publish  any  such  writings, 
are  to  lay  ihem  before  said  meeting,  for  its  advice 
and  concurrence.  And  if  any  of  our  members 
shall  print  or  publish  any  writing  against  the  advice 
of  said  meeting,  or  which  shall  have  a  tendency  to 
excite  disunity  and  discord,  such  persons  should  be 
complained  of  to  the  Monthly  meeting  to  which 
they  belong,  and  if  they  cannot  be  convinced  of 
the  impropriety  of  their  conduct,  and  condemn  the 
same,  to  the  satisfaction  of  said  meeting,  they 
should  be  disowned,  as  opposed  to  the  peace  and 
good  order  of  society. 

It  is  considered  incumbent  on  parents  and  heads 
of  families,  to  prevent  as  much  as  possible,  all  those 
under  their  direction,  from  perusing  those  pernicious 
publications  which  are  written  for  the  purpose  of 
weakening  the  authority  of  the  chistian  religion,  or 
exciting  doubts  concerning  the  authenticity  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  and  those  saving  truths  declared 


ST  4^ 

CERTIFICATES.  21 

in  them ;  lest  the  immature  and  feeble  minds  of 
such,  should  be  poisoned  thereby,  and  a  foundation 
laid  for  the  greatest  evils.  It  is  also  enjoined  on 
all  the  members  of  our  religious  society,  that  they 
discourage  and  suppress  the  reading  of  plays, 
romances,  and  novels,  which  being  written  by 
persons  of  corrupt  minds,  have  a  tendency  to 
awaken  and  invigorate  those  impure  propensities, 
^'  w^hich  war  against  the  soul,"  and  which  it  is  the 
duty  and  interest  of  every  christian  mind  to  keep 
in  a  state  of  suppression. 

CERTIFICATES. 

Quarterly  and  Monthly  meetings  are  to  take 
care,  that  all  certificates  or  minutes  which  may  be 
given  to  any  Friends  traveling  in  the  service  of  the 
ministry  be  recorded,  and  upon  the  return  of  such 
Friend,  seasonably  delivered  back  to  the  meeting; 
and  that  all  certificates  of  removal  brought  by  any 
Friends  intending  to  become  residents,  shall  be 
lodged  in  the  Monthly  meeting,  where  the  same  are 
accepted,  and  also,  that  every  meeting  keep  a 
record  of  all  certificates  which  they  give  forth. 

We  feel  it  our  concern  to  caution  Friends  to  be 
very  circumspect  how  they  remove  themselves  and 
families.  It  having  been  observed,  that  the  dissolv- 
ing of  old,  and  forming  of  new  connections,  have 
in  some  instances  been  attended  with  effects 
prejudicial  to  a  growth  in  the  truth,  both  in  the 
heads  and  younger  branches  of  families,  especially 
where  the  inclination  to  such  removals  hath 
originated  in  worldly  motives.  And  the  religious 
growth  and  establishment  of  children,  being  the 
most  interesting,  ought  to  be  the  principal  engage- 
ment of  the  minds  of  parents,  it  is  the  afl^ectionate 


22  CERTIFICATES. 

desire  of  the  Yearly  meeting,  that  in  putting  them 
forward  in  a  way  of  life,  the  probable  effect  it  may 
have  on  their  minds,  be  the  chief  object  in  view. 
In  these  cases,  we  recommend  to  our  members, 
both  young  and  old,  to  give  close  attention  to  the 
pointings  of  Divine  Wisdom,  and  also  timely  to 
consult  experienced  Friends,  previously  to  their 
fixing  a  resolution  of  changing  their  residence. 

When  certificates  of  removal  from  one  Monthly 
meeting  to  another,  are  received,  the  persons 
recommended  shall  be  considered  members  of  the 
meeting  to  which  they  remove. 

All  members  removing  beyond  the  limits  of  their 
Monthly  meetings,  whether  for  a  permanent  or 
only  a  certain  limited  time,  are  to  apply  to  their 
respective  meetings  for  certificates  directed  to  those 
within  the  limits  of  which  they  propose  to  sojourn 
or  settle.  But  if  any  shall  remove  without  so 
applying,  the  Monthly  meeting  of  which  they  are 
members,  after  making  the  usual  inquiry,  and  finding 
no  obstruction,  should  w^ithout  improper  delay,  send 
certificates  for  them,  to  the  Monthly  meetings 
within  the  limits  of  which  they  have  removed,  but 
if  their  previous  conduct  require  that  they  be 
treated  with,  and  the  distance  be  such  as  to  render 
it  inconvenient  for  the  meetings  they  removed 
from,  the  Monthly  meetings,  within  the  verge  of 
v^hich  they  are,  should  be  requested  to  treat 
with  them,  and  report  the  effect  of  their  care;  on 
which,  if  it  prove  satisfactory,  certificates  of  re- 
moval may  be  directed  ;  but  if  otherwise,  and 
testimonies  of  disunion  be  issued  ;  the  meeting 
where  they  reside,  should  be  furnished  with  copies 
thereof,  to  be  delivered  to  the  parties  with  informa- 
tion of  their  right  of  appeal. 

If  the  person  removed  or  about  to  remove  be  a 


CERTIFICATES.  23 

female,  the  women's  Monthly  meeting  is  to  appoint 
two  or,  more  of  their  members,  to  make  the  neces- 
sary inquiry,  and  prepare  a  certificate  accordingly; 
which  after  being  considered  in  the  women's,  is  to 
be  laid  before  the  men's  meeting;  and  when  there 
approved  and  signed,  returned  to  the  women's 
meeting  for  their  signature.  But  if  the  certificate 
is  intended  to  include  one  or  more  males,  then  the 
women  are  to  report  the  result  of  their  inquiry  to 
the  friends  named  on  the  like  inquiry  by  the  men's 
meeting;  in  which  the  certificate  being  approved 
and  signed,  is  to  be  sent  to  the  women's  meeting 
for  their  concurrence  and  signing.  And  all  cer- 
tificates received  for  women  friends,  are  to  be  laid 
before  the  men's  meeting,  before  they  can  be  fully 
accepted  by  the  women's  meeting.  The  personal 
attendance  of  such  women  friends  therewith  in 
men's  meeting  is  not  required. 

Where  apprentices,  or  person's  under  age,  are 
under  a  necessity  of  going  from  one  place  to 
another,  their  parents  or  guardians,  masters  or 
mistresses,  should  apply  for  certificates  for  them, 
recommending  them  to  the  care  and  oversight  of 
the  Monthly  meetings,  whereunto  they  remove. 

If  any  persons  appearing  as  Friends,  come  within 
the  compass  of  any  Monthly  meeting,  not  being 
recommended  by  certificates,  and  be  of  disorderly 
conduct,  the  overseers,  or  other  concerned  Friends, 
should  inquire  whether  oi  not  they  are  members  of 
our  society;  and  if  they  prove  so  to  be,  admonish 
them,  or  if  the  occasion  require  it,  report  the  case 
to  the  Preparative,  and  from  thence  to  the  Monthly 
meeting;  which  should  thereupon  inform  the 
Monthly  meetings  of  which  they  are  members,  of 
the  circumstances,  and  take  the  direction  of  said 
meeting,  for  treating  further  with  them,  agreeably 
to  our  rules  in  cases  of  that  nature. 

Monthly  meetings   are  to   take  due  care,  that 


24  CHARITY    AND    UNITY. CIVIL  GOVERMKNT. 

certificates  of  removal  be  seasonably  forwarded,  by 
suitable  conveyances,  to  the  Monthly  meetings  to 
which  they  are  directed;  they  being  the  exclusive 
property  of  such  meetings. 

CHARITY  AND  UNITY. 

Where  there  is  any  appearance  of  dissension,  or 
of  resentment  and  shyness  amongst  our  members, 
the  parties  should  be  timely  and  tenderly  apprised 
of  the  danger  to  which  they  expose  both  themselves 
and  others,  and  earnestly  exhorted  to  mutual  con- 
descension and  forgiveness,  becoming  the  followers 
of  Christ ;  and  if  any,  notwithstanding  such  en- 
deavors for  their  welfare,  continue  to  manifest  an 
implacable  enmity  to  others,  the  overseers  or  other 
judicious  Friends  of  the  Preparative  or  Monthly 
meeting,  to  which  they  belong,  should  be  informed 
thereof;  who  are  to  labor  further  with  them;  when 
if  they  still  prove  inflexible,  they  ought  to  be 
complained  of  to  the  Monthly  meeting  to  which 
they  belong,  which,  after  laboring  with  them  with- 
out the  desired  effect,  ought  to  testify  against  them 
as  out  of  the  unity  of  the  body;  the  very  end  of 
the  existence  of  which  is,  to  promote  peace  on 
earth,  and  good  will  amongst  men. 

CIVIL  GOVERNMENT. 

Liberty  of  conscience  being  the  common  right  of 
all  men,  and  particularly  essential  to  the  well-being 
of  religious  societies,  we  hold  it  to  be  indispensably 
incumbent  upon  us,  to  maintain  it  inviolably 
amongst  ourselves;  and  therefore  exhort  all  in  pro- 
fession with  us,  to  decline  accepting  any  office  or 
station  in  civil  government,  the  duties  of  which 
are  inconsistent  with  our  religious  principles;  or  in 
the  exercise  of  which  they  may  be,  or  apprehend 
themselves  to  be,  under  the  necessity  of  exacting 
from  others  any  compliances  against  which  they 
are  conscienciously  scrupulous. 


CIVIL   GOVERNJIENT.  25 

If  any  persons  in  membership  with  us,  notwith- 
standing the  preceding  admonition,  shall  persist  in  a 
conduct  so  repugnant  to  our  principles,  it  is  the 
sense  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that  they  be  treated 
with  as  in  other  cases  of  offence ;  and  if  they  cannot 
be  brought  to  see  and  acknowledge  their  error,  the 
Monthly  Meetings  to  which  they  belong  should  pro- 
ceed to  testify  against  them. 

It  is  also  our  judgment,  that  Friends  ought  not,  in 
any  wise,  to  be  active  or  accessary  in  electing,  or 
promoting  to  be  elected,  their  brethren  or  others  to 
such  offices  or  stations  in  civil  government,  the  exe- 
cution whereof  tends  to  lay  waste  our  christian 
testimony,  or  subject  their  brethren  or  others  to 
sufferings  on  account  of  their  conscientious  scru- 
ples. The  principle  of  truth  calls  us  out  of  con- 
tention; it  even  seeks  not  its  own  ends  by  means 
productive  of  animosity;  much  less  therefore  should 
its  professors  indulge  themselves  in  strife  for  objects 
of  a  perishing  nature. 

Believing,  therefore,  that  we  are  called  to  shew 
forth  to  the  world,  in  life  and  practice,  that  the 
blessed  reign  of  the  Messiah,  the  Prince  of  Peace? 
is  begun,  and  we  doubt  not,  will  proceed  until  it 
attain  its  completion  in  the  earth,  when  according 
to  the  prophecies  of  Isaiah  and  Micah,  "Nation 
shall  not  lift  up  sword  against  nation,  neither  shall 
they  learn  war  any  more,"  we  cannot  consistently 
join  with  such  as  form  combinations  of  a  hostile  na- 
ture against  any;  much  less  in  opposition  to  those 
placed  in  authority;  nor  can  w^e  unite  with  or  en- 
courage such  as  revile  or  asperse  them,  for  it  is 
3 


26  CONDUCT    AND   CONVERSATION. 

written,  ''Thou  shalt  not  speak  evil  of  the  ruler  of 
thy  people."     Acts,  xxiii  and  5th. 

CONDUCT  AND  CONVERSATION. 

Such  are  to  be  treated  with,  as  are  guilty  of  lying, 
drunkenness,  swearing,  cursing;  together  with  every 
other  immoral  or  scandalous  practice:  and  when  per- 
sons are  guilty  in  these  respects,  or  any  of  them, 
after  being  treated  with  by  the  overseers  or  other 
concerned  Friends,  if  they  be  brought  to  a  sense  of 
the  iniquity  thereof,  such  offenders  are  without  im- 
proper delay,  to  remove  the  scandal,  and  clear,  as 
much  as  possible,  our  holy  profession  therefrom,  by 
acknowledging  and  condemning  the  offence,  in  wri- 
ting, under  their  hands,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
Monthly  Meetings,  to  which  they  belong.  And  if 
any  such  offenders  refuse  to  acknowledge  and  con- 
demn their  faults,  the  said  meetings,  ought  speedily 
to  testify  against  them. 

If  any  in  membership  with  us  shall  blaspheme,  or 
speak  profanely  of  Almighty  God,  Christ  Jesus,  or 
the  Holy  Spirit,  they  ought  to  be  timely  and  ear- 
nestly treated  with  for  the  convincement  of  their 
understandings,  that  they  may  experience  repen- 
tance and  forgiveness;  but  should  any,  notwith- 
standing such  brotherly  labor,  persist  in  their  error, 
or  deny  the  divinity  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,  the  immediate  revelation  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
or  the  authenticity  of  the  scriptures;  as  it  will  be 
thereby  manifest  that  they  are  not  one  in  faith  with 
us,  the  Monthly  Meetings  where  they  belong,  ought, 
after  the  aforesaid  earnest  and  religious  endeavors 
without  elTect,  to  declare  the  same  and  issue  their 
testimony  accordingly. 

It  is  the  earjiest  concern  of  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
that  in  all  our  dealings  and  transactions  among  men, 
strict  justice  may  be  observed,  and  that  no  motives 
of  pecuniary  interest  may  induce  any  of  our  mem- 
bers to  impose  upon  each  other,  or  upon  any  with 


CONVINCED    PERSONS.  27 

whom  they  may  have  commercial  intercourse ;  and 
it  is  directed  that  Monthly  Meetings  be  careful  to 
extend  suitable  admonition  against  all  deviations  in 
these  respects,  for  the  help  and  recovery  of  delin- 
quents; and  as  it  is  obvious  that  there  can  be  no  just 
pretensions  to  religious  rectitude,  without  a  confor- 
mity to  moral  justice,  Monthly  Meetings  are  author- 
ized to  disown  those,  who  will  not  be  reclaimed  by 
their  brotherly  endeavors  in  these  respects. 

And  believing,  as  we  do,  that  meekness,  modera" 
tion,  and  mercy,  are  among  the  distinguishing  traits 
of  the  Christian  character,  we  are  concerned  to 
caution  our  members  against  the  indulgence  of  pas. 
sion,  or  the  exercise  of  cruelty,  even  towards  the 
brute  creation,  which  a  benificent  Providence  has 
made  subservient  to  our  comfort  and  convenience. 

CONVUSCED  PERSONS. 

It  is  directed  that  the  following  order  be  observed 
respectmg  persons  who  apply  for  admittance  into 
membership.  They  are  to  apply  to  the  overseers, 
who,  when  they  are  easy  so  to  do,  are  to  lay  the 
case  before  the  Preparative  Meeting;  and  after  that 
meeting  is  fully  satisfied,  by  paying  a  visit  or  other- 
wise, they  are  to  lay  it  before  the  Monthly  Meeting; 
which  meeting  shall  appoint  some  suitable  Friends 
to  inquire  into  the  lives  and  conversation  of  the 
applicants,  and  also  to  take  solid  opportunities  of 
conference  with  them,  in  order  the  better  to  under- 
stand whether  their  motives  for  such  requests  be 
sincere,  and  on  the  ground  of  convincement;  and 
report  their  sense  thereof,  with  which,  if  the  meet- 
ing be  satisfied,  a  minute  should  be  made  signifying 
the  acceptance  of  such  into  membership,  and  ap- 
pointing a  Friend  or  two  to  acquaint  the  persons 
thereof. 


28  DATS    AND   TIMES. 

When  females  apply  for  admittance  into  member- 
ship, women  Friends  are  to  extend  the  necessary 
care,  as  expressed  in  the  foregoing  paragraph,  until 
their  Monthly  Meeting  becomes  satisfied  to  receive 
them,  the  men's  meeting  should  then  be  informed  of 
the  case,  and  if  that  meeting  unite  in  judgment  with 
the  women  Friends,  a  minute  thereof  should  be 
formed,  and  the  care  of  informing  the  person  re- 
ceived, left  with  the  women's  meeting.  But  should 
the  men,  on  considering  die  case  as  reported  from 
the  women's  meeting,  not  be  easy  to  admit  the 
applicants  into  membership,  without  appointing  a 
committee  to  visit  them,  they  may  be  at  liberty  to 
appoint  a  few  judicious  Friends  to  unite  with  a  com- 
mittee of  women  Friends  to  take  further  opportu- 
nities of  conference  with  them,  the  report  of  which 
united  committee  is  to  be  presented  to  the  women's 
meeting,  and  with  their  sense  thereon  conveyed  to 
the  men's  meeting,  where  the  case  is  to  be  con- 
sidered and  finally  settled. 

But  in  all  cases.  Friends  are  exhorted  to  attend 
carefully  to  the  advice  of  the  npostle,  "Lay  iiands 
suddonly  on  no  man."  The  neglect  of  such  caution 
having  often  been  injurious  both  to  the  individuals 
and  to  society:  to  them,  by  settling  them  in  a  false 
rest;  and  to  society,  by  adding  to  its  numbers  witliout 
increasing  its  joy;  both  of  which,  being  circumstances 
of  acknowledged  importance.  Montbly  Meetings 
are  desired  to  be  weighty  in  their  deliberations  and 
results,  on  all  such  occasions:  and  when  united  in 
believing  that  the  applicants  are  clearly  convinced 
of  our  religious  principles,  and  in  a  good  degree 
subject  to  the  government  of  the  divine  witness  in 
their  own  hearts,  manifested  by  circumspection  of 
life  and  conduct,  the  said  meetings  should  receive 
isuch  into  membership. 

DAYS  AND  TIMES. 

As  we  ai:e  persuaded  that  no  religious  act  can  be 


DATS    AND    TIMES.  29 

acceptable  to  God,  unless  produced  by  the  influence 
and  assistance  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  it  is  our  judgment 
that  our  members  cannot  consistently  join  with  any 
in  the  observance  of  public  fasts,  feasts,  or  what  are 
termed  holy-days,  or  such  injunctions  and  forms  as 
are  devised  by  the  will  of  man  in  regard  thereto:  for 
though  exterior  observances  of  a  similar  kind  were 
once  authorized  under  the  law,  as  shadows  of  things 
to  come,  yet  they  who  come  to  Christ,  will,  we  be- 
lieve, assuredly  find  that  in  him  all  shadows  end; 
and  that  ''he  hath  obtained  a  better  ministry,  by 
how  much  also  is  he  the  Mediator  of  a  better  cove- 
nant, and  established  upon  better  promises."     Heb. 
viii  and  6. — "  Let  no  man  therefore,  says  the  apostle, 
judge  you  in  meat  or  drink,  or  in  respect  of  an  holy- 
day,  or  of  the  new  moon,  or  of  the  sabbath  days, 
which  are  a  shadow  of  things  to  come,  but  the  body 
is  of  Christ."    Col.  ii.  16  and  1 7. — The  same  apostle 
also  thus  expostulates  with  some,  who  it  appears  had 
fallen  from  the  true  faith  in  these  respects:  ''But 
now,  after  that  ye  know  God,  how  turn  ye  to  the 
beggarly  elements,  whereunto  ye  desire  again  to  be 
in  bondage?  ye  observe  days  and  months  and  times 
and  years.     I  am  afraid  of  you,  lest  I  have  bestowed 
upon  you  labor  in  vain."     Gal.  iv.  9,  10  and  11. 

Wherefore,  under  an  humble  and  grateful  sense  of 
the  abundant  mercies  and  favors  of  our  heavenly 
Father,  let  us,  as  a  religious  society,  continually 
feel  our  hearts  filled  with  thanksgiving  and  praise  to 
him;  an  aspiration  which  is  ever  his  due,  and  to  be 
acknowledged  by  his  creatures  with  the  deepest 
reverence,  and  not  with  the  "bowing  of  the  head 
like  a  bulrush  for  a  day,"  nor  with  those  tumultuous 
demonstrations  of  joy,  and  nightly  illuminations, 
which  are  generally  attended  with  rioting,  drunken- 
ness, and  many  other  excesses  incompatible  with  the 
christian  name. 

Whilst,  therefore,  it  is  the  earnest  concern  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting  that  we  may  be  found  w^orshippers 
3* 


30         DEFAMATION  AND  DETRACTION. 

within  the  temple,  it  is  affectionately  desired  that 
our  members  may  be  individually  cautious  not  to 
give  occasion  of  additional  suffering  to  the  truly 
conscientious  amongst  us,  by  any  compliance  with 
such  observances  as  our  worthy  ancestors,  were 
rightly  concerned  to  bear  testimony  against. 

DEFAMATION  AND  DETRACTION. 

As  the  manifest  tendency  of  the  mischievous  spirit 
of  talebearing  and  detraction,  is  to  lay  waste  the 
unity  of  society,  by  disseminating  discord  and  strife 
among  brethren  and  neighbors;  Friends  are  enjoined 
to  watch  over  themselves  and  each  other,  in  order 
to  discourage  and  suppress  every  appearance  of 
such  dispositions.  The  order  prescribed  by  our 
blessed  Lord  should  be  strictly  observed  in  every 
case  of  apprehended  injury — viz.  "If  thy  brother 
shall  trespass  against  thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault 
between  thee  and  him  alone;  if  he  shall  hear  thee, 
thou  hast  gained  thy  brother;  but  if  he  will  not  hear 
thee,  then  take  with  thee  one  or  two  more,  that  in 
the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses,  every  word 
may  be  established.  And  if  he  shall  neglect  to  hear 
them,  tell  it  unto  the  church;  but  if  he  neglect  to 
hear  the  church,  let  him  be  unto  thee  as  an  heathen 
man  and  a  publican." 

It  is  further  directed,  that,  in  whomsoever  this 
weakness  appear,  it  may  be  immediately  checked; 
.and  if  any  give  way  to  it,  to  the  obvious  injury  of 
the  reputation  or  interest  of  others,  let  them  be 
faithfully  admonished,  by  elders,  overseers,  or  other 
concerned  Friends;  and  if  they  persist,  or  cannot  be 
prevailed  with  to  give  due  satisfaction,  the  Prepa- 
rative, and  (if  expedient)  Monthly  Meetings  should 
be  informed  of  il,  and  treat  further  with  them;  when, 
if  this  also  fail  to  produce  the  desired  effect,  they 
should  be  disowned. 

Should  any  offenders  in  these  respects  shelter 
themselves  under  a  pretence,  that  they  say  no  more 


DISCIPLINE   AND   MEETINGS   FOR   DISCIPLINE.  31 

than  they  have  heard  from  others,  but  refuse  to  dis- 
cover who  those  are,  such  should  in  like  manner  be 
treated  with  as  tale-bearers,  and  testified  against. 

DISCIPLINE  AND  MEETINGS  FOR  DISCIPLINE. 

The  existence  of  our  Meetings  for  Discipline, 
having,  on  experience,  been  found  extensively  ben- 
eficial, it  is  earnestly  recommended  that  they  may 
be  maintained  in  that  authority  wherein  they  were 
established;  for,  where  any  have  been  negligent  in 
attending  them,  or  opposed  to  their  usefulness,  it 
has  been  perceived  that  carnality  and  spiritual 
death  have  been  the  consequence. 

Where  any  transgress  the  rules  of  our  discipline, 
they  should,  without  partiality,  be  admonished,  and 
sought  in  the  spirit  of  love  and  divine  charity,  so 
that  it  may  be  seen  by  all,  that  the  restoring  dispo- 
sitions of  meekness  and  christian  affection  abound, 
before  church  censure  takes, place;  that  a  gospel 
spirit  is  the  spring  and  motive  of  all  our  perform- 
ances, as  well  in  discipline,  as  in  worship. 

The  connexion  and  subordination  of  our  Meetings 
for  Discipline  are  thus:  Preparative  Meetings  are 
accountable  to  the  Monthly;  Monthly  to  the  Quar- 
terly; and  Quarterly  to  the  Yearly  Meetings;  so 
that  if  the  Yearly  Meeting  be  at  any  time  dissatis- 
fied with  the  proceedings  of  any  inferior  meetings: 
or  a  Quarterly  Meeting,  with  the  proceedings  of 
either  of  its  Monthly  Meetings;  or  a  Monthly  Meet- 
ing with  the  proceedings  of  either  of  its  Preparative 
Meetings;  such  meetings  ought,  with  readiness  and 
meekness,  to  render  accounts  thereof  when  required; 
and  correct  or  expunge  any  of  the  minutes,  ac- 
cording to  the  direction  of  the  superior  meeting. 

No  Quarterly  Meeting  should  be  set  up  or  laid 
down,  without  the  consent  of  the  Yearly  Meeting; 
no  Monthly  Meeting  without  the  consent  of  the 
Quarterly  Meeting;  nor  any  Preparative  or  other 
meeting  for  business  or  worship,  until  application  to 


32  DISCIPLINE    AND    MEETINGS    FOR    DISCIPLINE. 

the  Monthly  Meeting  be  first  made;  and,  when 
there  approved,  the  consent  of  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing be  also  obtained.  Also,  no  meeting  for  worship, 
intended  to  consist  of  Friends  belonging  to  two  or 
more  Monthly  Meetings,  shall  be  established,  until 
the  proposal  be  offered  to,  and  approved  by,  those 
Monthly  Meetings,  and  the  consent  of  their  res- 
pective Quarterly  Meeting  or  meetings  be  obtained; 
when  the  meeting  proposed,  is  opened,  it  should  be 
attended  by  a  few  solid  Friends,  deputed  by  each 
of  the  said  Monthly  Meetings.  And  if  at  any 
time  it  be  thought  expedient,  that  a  Preparative 
Meeting  should  be  held  at  the  same  place,  the  con- 
sent of  the  said  Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings 
should  be  in  like  manner  applied  for  and  obtained; 
and  the  Preparative  Meeting  should  be  annexed  to 
either  of  those  Monthly  Meetings,  as  may  appear 
most  likely  to  conduce  to  the  benefit  and  conve- 
nience of  the  individuals  who  compose  it,  and  the 
advantage  of  society. 

Monthly  Meetings  may  be  at  liberty  to  indulge 
meetings  under  the  care  of  a  committee,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  report  every  three  months,  the 
situation  and  number  of  such  indulgences,  which 
report  the  Monthly  Meeting  should  forward  to  the 
Quarterly  Meeting:  and  that  no  marriage  shall  be 
consummated  at  such  meeting  until  it  is  known  to 
the  Quarter. 

It  is  directed  that  a  book  be  provided  by  every 
Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  fair  records 
kept  therein  of  their  proceedings.  Monthly  Meet- 
ings, particularly,  are  advised  to  attend  to,  and 
finish  all  such  business  with  care  and  despatch,  that 
it  may,  at  no  time,  suffer  by  improper  delay;  and 
if  any  case  under  consideration,  prove  too  weighty 
or  dithcult  for  them  to  determine,  they  should  apply 
to  their  respective  Quarterly  Meetings  for  assis- 
tance; or,  if  the  circumstances  be  such  as  to  require 
it,  refer  it  thereto  by  minute. 


DISCIPLINE   AND  MEETINGS   FOR  DISCIPLINE.  33 

It  is  the  conclusion  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  as  a 
general  rule  in  all  cases,  that  where  any  Monthly  or 
Quarterly  Meeting  has  occasion  for,  and  requests 
copies  of  any  papers,  minutes  or  records  of  another 
Monthly  or  Quarterly  Meeting,  the  same  should  be 
accordingly  granted. 

Where  any  difference  happens  among  Friends, 
and  the  same  be  entered  in  any  Monthly  or  Quar- 
terly Meeting  book,  if  the  parties,  or  either  of 
them  think  that  copies  of  such  entries  may  be 
useful,  or  necessary  for  them,  and  request  the  same; 
such  JMonthly  or  Quarterly  Meetings  shall  have  a 
discretionary  power  to  give  or  refuse  such  copies, 
according  to  the  circumstances  and  motives  at- 
tending. 

After  a  charge  against  a  member  for  disorderly 
conduct,  is  entered  on  the  minutes  of  a  meeting  for 
Discipline,  he  or  she  should  not  be  permitted  to  sit 
in  any  of  our  Meetings  for  Discipline,  until  the  case 
is  determined,  and  the  meeting  satisfied. 

And  it  is  the  judgment  of  tno  Yearly  Meeting 
that  elders,  uvci seers,  and  others  concerned,  lor 
the  support  of  the  discipline,  exercise  a  care  that 
our  meetings  for  business  be  kept  select,  not  per- 
mitting those  who  have  not  a  right  of  membership 
amonor  us  to  sit  in  those  meetinujs. 

It  is  directed,  that  a  suitable  number  of  Friends 
be  appointed  in  each  Monthly  Meeting,  representa- 
tives to  attend  the  service  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting, 
with  such  reports  in  writing,  signed  by  the  clerk,  as 
may  be  given  them  in  charge:  also,  that  at  least  four 
Friends  be  appointed,  for  the  like  service,  in  each 
Quarterly  Meeting,  to  attend  the  Yearly  Meeting. 
And  it  is  earnesily  advised  and  desired,  that  all 
Friends  who  submit  to  these  important  services, 
may  be  punctual  in  their  attendance;  or  if  prevented 
by  sickness,  or  any  oiher  unavoidable  occurrence, 
that  they  be  careful  to  send  information  thereof ; 
also,  that  those  who  are  under  appointments  to  at- 


34  DISCIPLINE    AND    MEETINGS    FOR   DISCIPLINE. 

tend  meetings  as  representatives,  do  not  withdraw 
tlierefrom  before  the  conclusion  of  such  meetings, 
without  obtaining  the  consent  thereof. 

It  is  also  directed,  that  Friends  keep  an  account 
of  such  sufferings  to  which  they  may  be  subjected 
from  the  world,  maintaining  those  testimonies  of 
truth,  which  we  believe  it  is  our  duty  peculiarly  to 
bear:  and  that  Monthly  Meetings  use  suitable  en- 
deavors, that  such  accounts  may  be  collected  and 
transmitted  to  the  Quarterly  Meetings;  and  when 
there  approved,  that  Quarterly  Meetings  forward 
them  annually  to  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings. 

Children  whose  parents  have  been  members  after 
marriage,  or  married  according  to  our  order,  and 
one  of^them  disowned  before  the  birth  of  their  chil- 
dren, are  to  be  considered  as  members.  But  where 
only  one  parent  shall  have  been  received,  the  chil- 
dren are  not  to  be  considered  as  having  a  right  of 
membership,  unless  their  parents  should  request  for 
them,  in  which  case  it  is  left  to  the  discretion  of 
Monthly  Meet.ingc. 

If  any  member  of  our  rciigious  tsuoltiLy  sliull  dis- 
cover so  much  weakness  of  mind  as  to  apply  to 
those  called  Jugglers,  or  Fortune-Tellers,  or  to 
those  who  by  pretending  to  any  art  or  skill  what- 
ever profess  a  knowledge  of  future  events,  hidden 
transactions,  or  where  things  lost  or  stolen  may  be 
found ;  or  if  any  of  our  members  shall  use  or  pre- 
tend to  such  art  or  skill;  under  a  just  abhorrence 
of  such  delusion,  it  is  directed  that  they  be  speedily 
treated  with,  and  if  they  do  not  manifest  a  due 
sense  of  their  evil  conduct,  that  they  be  disowned. 

A  committee  should  be  annually  appointed,  in 
each  of  our  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings,  to 
nominate  clerks;  which  may  afford  opportunity  for 
their  being  seasonably  changed,  and  more  of  our 
qualified  members  exercised  in  those  services. 

As  the  use  and  design  of  Preparative  Meetings 
are,  in  general,  to  digest  and  prepare  business  as  oc- 


GAMING   AND   DIVERSIONS,  35 

casion  may  require,  which  may  be  proper  to  be  laid 
before  Monthly  Meetings;  Friends  ought  to  be 
careful  therein,  not  to  occasion  unnecessary  delays, 
or  undertake  to  decide  on  any  business  which  pro- 
perly belongs  to  Monthly  Meetings;  and  when  it  is 
concluded  to  carry  any  cases  forward,  they  should 
be  entered  in  writing,  and  some  suitable  Friend  or 
Friends  named,  to  produce  them  to  the  Monthly 
Meeting:  proper  notes  whereof  should  be  carefully 
preserved  by  clerks  of  Preparative  Meetings. 

GAMING  AND  DIVERSIONS. 

Friends  are  fervently  exhorted  to  watch  carefully 
over  the  youth,  and  others  of  our  society,  who  may 
be  so  inclined,  to  prevent  them  by  affectionate 
counsel  and  brotherly  admonition,  from  frequenting 
stage-plays,  horse-races,  music,  dancing,  and  other 
vain  sports  and  amusements;  also,  in  a  particular 
manner,  from  being  concerned  in  lotteries,  w^agering, 
or  any  kind  of  gaming;  it  being  abundantly  obvious, 
that  those  practices  have  a  tendency  to  alienate  the 
mind  from  the  council  of  divine  wisdt>m — and  to 
foster  those  impure  dispositions  which  lead  to  de- 
bauchery and  wickedness.  If,  therefore,  any  of 
our  members  fall  into  either  of  these  practices,  and 
cannot  be  prevailed  with  by  private  labor  to  decline 
them,  the  Monthly  Meetings  to  which  they  belong, 
should  be  informed  thereof,  and  if  they  cannot  be 
reclaimed  by  further  labor,  should  proceed  to  dis- 
own them. 

It  being  obvious  that  the  public  entertainments, 
and  the  vain  and  ostentatious  processions  of  those 
called  Free  Masons,  are  altogether  inconsistent 
with  our  religious  profession:  if  therefore  any  of 
our  members  shall  join  therein,  or  unite  in  member- 
ship with  them,  they  are  to  be  treated  with  as  in 
other  cases  of  disorderly  conduct,  and  if  after  ten- 
der admonition  and  brotherly  labor  they  cannot  be 
dissuaded  therefrom  they  are  to  be  disowned. 


36  LAW. 

LAW. 

If  any  of  our  members  be  complained  of  for  with- 
holding a  just  debt,  they  should  be  tenderly  urged 
to  payment;  and  if  this  be  unavailing,  they  should 
be  treated  with  as  in  other  cases  of  disorderly  con- 
duct; and  if  any  appear  unable  to  satisfy  their  cred- 
itors, they  should  be  advised  to  call  them  together 
without  loss  of  time,  and  submit  the  state  of  their 
affairs  to  their  inspection;  when,  if  the  creditors  ap- 
prehend a  surrender  of  the  debtor's  effects  neces- 
sary, they  ought  to  consent,  and  if  they  refuse  so 
to  do,  the  Monthly  Meetings  of  which  they  are 
members  should  be  informed;  when,  if  the  party 
still  persist  in  refusing,  they  should  be  disowned 
without  too  long  delay. 

But,  if  any  in  such  difficult  circumstances,  mani- 
fest an  honest  intention,  and  shall  offer  their  all  to 
their  creditors,  without  preference,  let  compassion 
and  aid  be  extended  to  them  as  brethren,  and  objects 
of  christian  charity ; having  done  what  they  could,  no 
more  for  the  present,  can  be  justly  expected  from 
them.  Yet  it  is  the  judgment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
that  if  persons  so  failing  in  their  circumstances  should 
at  any  time  thereafter  be  favored  with  ability  to  pay 
off  their  deficiencies,  justice  will  require  it  of  them, 
notwithstanding  a  composition  with  and  legal  dis- 
charge from  their  creditors  may  have  been  ob- 
tained. This  is  how^ever  not  meant  to  furnish  any 
with  a  pretext  for  advancing  such  claims,  while 
persons  so  deficient  are  honestly  laboring  to  re- 
trieve their  circumstances,  nor  until  it  shall  clearly 
appear  to  their  respective  Monthly  Meetings,  or 
judicious  committees  thereof,  that  sufficient  ability  is 
arrived  at;  when,  if  they  be  requested  to  comply, 
and  persist  in  refusing,  the  said  meetings  should  pro- 
ceed to  disown  them. 

And  it  is  the  judgment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting, 


MARRUGES.  37 

that  if  any  members  of  our  religious  society,  disre- 
garding the  gospel  order  prescribed  by  our  Discipline, 
shall  arrest  or  sue  at  law  other  members,  (not  being 
under  such  a  necessity  so  to  do,  as  has  been  ex- 
plained under  article  Arbitration,)  they,  in  so  doing, 
do  depart  from  the  peaceable  principles  of  which 
we  make  profession:  and  if  on  being  treated  with 
by  the  Monthly  Meetings  to  which  they  belong, 
they  cannot  be  prevailed  with  to  withdraw  the 
suit,  and  pay  the  cost  thereof,  they  should  be  dis- 
owned. 

MARRIAGES. 

It  is  affectionately  desired  by  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
that  all  young  or  unmarried  persons  in  membership 
with  us,  previously  to  their  making  any  procedure 
in  order  to  marriage,  do  seriously  and  humbly  wait 
upon  the  Lord  for  his  counsel  and  direction  in  this 
important  concern;  and  when  favored  with  satisfac- 
tory clearness  therein,  they  should  early  acquaint 
their  parents  or  guardians  with  their  intentions,  and 
wait  for  their  consent:  thus  preservation  from  the 
dangerous  bias  of  forward  and  uncertain  affections, 
would  be  experienced,  to  the  real  benefit  of  the  par- 
ties, and  the  comfort  of  their  friends.  And  it  is 
earnestly  recommended  to  Friends,  that  they  ten- 
derly and  carefully  watch  over  the  youth,  and  ex- 
tend seasonable  caution  and  admonition  relative  to 
this  interesting  subject  as  occasion  may  require. 

A  single  person  about  to  marry  at  a  distance  from 
home,  is  to  procure  from  the  Monthly  Meeting  to 
which  he  belongs  a  certificate  of  his  right  of  mem- 
bership, and  clearness  from  any  other  person  in  res- 
pect to  marriage  engagements,  and,  in  applying  for 
such  certificate,  the  name  of  the  woman  should  be 
given  to  the  Monthly  Meeting.  He  should  also  ob- 
tain the  consent  of  his  parents  or  guardians  therein; 
and  none  are  to  be  permitted  to  join  themselves  in 
4 


38  MARRIAGES. 

marriage  until  such  certificates,  and  the  consent  of 
their  parents  or  guardians  thereto,  be  also  signified, 
in  person  or  by  writing,  where  it  is  practicable,  or 
can  be  reasonably  obtained.  But  as  there  is  tender- 
ness due  to  children  and  wards,  as  well  as  to  parents 
and  guardians,  it  is  not  to  be  understood  that  mar- 
riages are  to  be  prohibited,  on  account  of  improper 
objections  on  the  part  of  the  latter;  but  that  Monthly 
Meetings  exercise  righteous  judgment  in  such  cases. 

No  Monthly  Meeting  is  to  permit  any  marriage 
to  be  proposed  therein  sooner  than  one  year  after 
the  decease  of  a  former  husband  or  wife. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  being  tender  concerning 
marriage,  desires  that  no  misdemeanor  be  treasured 
up  against  a  person,  until  the  time  of  presenting 
marriage  to  the  meeting,  and  then  disclosed,  though 
perhaps  long  before  done  and  known  to  those  who 
so  object  to  it  at  that  time,  which  being  a  wrong 
thing,  should  be  checked  and  prohibited  in  all 
meetings. 

It  is  recommended  to  Monthly  Meetings,  that  ac- 
cording to  the  ancient  and  decent  practice  amongst 
Friends,  they  take  care,  that  such  men  and  women 
Friends  as  make  or  receive  proposals  of  marriage, 
do  not  dwell  in  the  same  house,  from  the  commence- 
ment of  such  concern  until  the  marriage  is  accom- 
plished: that  no  grounds  may  be  furnished  for  evil 
reports  or  surmises,  but  our  holy  profession  be  main- 
tained unsullied  in  the  view  of  men. 

No  marriages  are  to  be  accomplished  in  or  imme- 
diately after  any  of  our  Monthly  Meetings,  or  other 
meetings  of  business.  And  it  is  desired,  that  on 
these  occasions,  Friends  in  affluent  circumstances, 
particularly,  may  be  careful  to  set  a  becoming  and 
encouraging  example  of  moderation;  avoiding  un- 
necessarily expensive  entertainments,  and  large 
companies:  How  much  better  would  such  superflu- 
ous expense  be  employed  in  relieving  the  necessi- 


MARRIAGES.  39 

ties  of  the  poor;  and  especially  guarding  against 
inviting  such  as  guests  who  are  unlikely  to  conform 
to  the  order  of  our  religious  society. 

Let  such  of  our  members  be  admonished,  as  keep 
company  in  order  for  marriage,  with  persons  not  of 
our  society,  or  with  any  bound  servants  or  appren- 
tices, without  the  leave  of  their  masters  or  mis- 
tresses; or  who  are  either  present  themselves,  or 
consent  to  their  children's  being  present  at  mar- 
riages performed  by  a  priest.  And  where  any  are 
present  at  the  marriage,  or  marriage  entertainment 
of  a  member,  accomplished  contrary  to  our  order, 
they  are  to  be  treated  with,  and  where  they  cannot 
be  brought  to  a  sense  of  their  error,  let  them  be 
disowned. 

Where  parents  or  guardians  have  approved  the 
visits  or  addresses  of  a  man  (a  member  of  our  reli- 
gious society)  to  any  of  their  children  or  those  under 
their  care,  they  ought  not  to  retract  the  same,  with- 
out giving  such  reasons  as  shall  be  satisfactory  to 
the  Monthly  Meeting  whereto  they  belong. 

For  the  accomplishment  of  marriage  the  follow- 
ing order  is  to  be  observed:  The  parties  are  to 
inform  the  men's  and  women's  Monthly  Meeting,  in 
writing,  under  their  hands,  that  they  intend  marriage 
with  each  other.  The  notice  should  be  minuted  in 
each  meeting,  and  two  women  Friends  are  to  be  ap- 
pointed to  make  inquiry  respecting  the  woman,  and 
if  the  parties  are  both  members  of  the  same  meet- 
ing, two  men  Friends  should  also  be  appointed  to 
make  inquiry  respecting  the  clearness  of  the  man, 
in  regard  to  any  other  marriage  engagements.  If 
the  parties  have  parents  or  guardians  present,  their 
consent  should  be  expressed ;  or  if  the  man  be  a  mem- 
ber of  another  Monthly  Meeting,  the  consent  of  his 
parents,  if  he  have  any,  should  be  produced  in  writ- 
ing, either  then  or  at  the  next  meeting,  with  a 
certificate  from  his  Monthly  Meeting  of  his  clearness 
from  other  like  engagements. 


40  MARRIAGES. 

If  the  woman  be  a  widow,  having  children,  two 
or  more  Friends  should  be  appointed  in  the  meeting 
of  which  she  is  a  member,  to  see  that  the  rights  of 
her  ciiildren  be  legally  secured.  At  the  next  meet- 
ing, if  the  committees  report  that  careful  inquiry 
has  been  made,  and  no  obstruction  to  the  further 
proceedings  of  the  parties  appear,  the  man,  at  a  pro- 
per time,  should  be  accompanied  into  the  women's 
meeting  by  a  Friend  nominated  thereto;  there  the 
parties  are  to  declare  the  continuance  of  their  in- 
tentions of  marriage  with  each  other;  and  then  pro- 
ceeding to  ^he  men's  meeting  they  should  make  the 
same  declaration  there;  the  meetings  are  then  to 
leave  them  at  liberty  to  accomplish  their  marriage, 
according  to  our  rules,  and  appoint  two  Friends  of 
each  sex,  to  attend  and  see  that  good  order  is  ob- 
served: Marriages  are  to  be  solemnized  at  the  usual 
Week-day  Meetings  for  Worship,  or  at  a  meeting 
appointed,  at  a  seasonable  hour  in  the  forenoon  on 
some  other  convenient  w^eek-day,  and  at  the  meeting 
house  to  which  the  woman  belongs.  Previous  notice 
to  Friends  generally,  in  the  latter  case,  being  given. 

Towards  the  conclusion  of  the  said  meeting,  the 
parties  are  to  stand  up,  and  taking  each  other  by 
the  hand,  are  to  declare  in  an  audible  and  solemn 
manner  to  the  following  effect:  the  man  first,  viz. 
"Friends,  in  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  before 
"  this  assembly,  I  take  this  my  friend  D.  E.  to  be  my 
"wife;  promising,  with  divine  assistance,  to  be  unto 
"  her  a  loving  and  faithful  husband,  until  death  shall 
"separate  us;"  and  then  the  woman  in  like  manner: 
"Friends,  in  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  before 
"this  assembly,  I  take  this  my  friend  A.  B.  to  be  my 
"husband;  promising,  with  divine  assistance,  to  be 
"unto  him  a  loving  and  faithful  wife,  until  death 
"  shall  separate  us." 

The  marriage  certificate  is  then  to  be  audibly 
read  by  some  proper  person,  the  express  names  and 
description  of  the  parties  being  first  inserted.    They 


MARRIAGES.  41 

are  then  to  sign  the  same:  the  man  first,  then  the 
woman,  with  the  adopted  name  ol^  her  husband : 
the  relatives  next  as  witnesses,  and  such  others  pre- 
sent as  are  disposed  to  subscribe  their  names. 

It  is  further  directed,  that  the  said  marriage  he 
accomplished  decently,  gravely,  and  weightily;  and 
the  parties  themselves,  their  parents  and  others  con- 
cerned, do  take  care  at  the  houses  or  places  where 
they  go,  after  the  solemnization  is  over,  that  no  re- 
proach arise,  or  occasion  of  offence  be  given,  by 
any  intemperate  or  immoderate  feasting  or  drink- 
ing, or  by  any  unseemly,  wanton,  or  rude  discourses 
or  actions;  but  that  all  behave  with  such  sobriety 
as  becomes  a  people  fearing  God;  and  that  the  com- 
pany retire  to  their  homes  in  seasonable  time.  And 
if  any  thing  to  the  contrary  be  observed,  the  over- 
seers, or  other  concerned  Friends  present,  ought,  as 
speedily  as  they  conveniently  can,  to  take  such 
aside  who  make  any  breach  upon  good  order,  and 
in  an  affectionate  manner  admonish  them  to  abetter 
behaviour;  and  the  said  overseers  are  to  make  report 
to  the  Monthly  Meeting,  whether  good  order  has 
been  observed,  and  take  care  that  the  marriage 
certificate  be  returned  in  order  to  be  recorded. 
The  form  of  which  certificate  shall  be  as  follows: 

Whereas,  A.   B.   of  in  the  county 

of ,  in son  of  C.  B.  of ,  and  H. 

his  wife;  and  D.  E.  daughter  of  F.  E.  of and 

M.  his  wife,  having    declared  their  intentions  of 
marriage  with  each  other,  before  a  Monthly  Meeting 

of  the  relio-ious  society  of  Friends,  held  at 

(where  the  parties  are  under  the  care  of  parents  or 
guardians,  unless  in  the  case  of  unreasonable  objec- 
tions, add)  and  having  consent  of  parents  or  guar- 
dians concerned  (as  the  case  may  be)  their  said 
proposalsof  marriage  were  allowed  by  said  meeting. 
These  are  to  certify  whom  it  may  concern,  that  for 
the  full  accomplishment  of  their  said  intentions, 
4* 


42  MARRIAGES. 

this day  of  the month,  in  the  year  of  our 

Lord ,  tliey,  the  said  A.  B.  and  D.  E.  nppeared 

in  a  public  meeting  of  the  said  people  held  at 

aforesaid;  and  the  said  A.  B.  taking  the  said  D.  E. 
by  the  liand,  declared  that  he  took  her  the  said  D. 
E.  to  be  his  wife,  promising,  with  divine  assistance,  to 
be  unto  her  a  loving  and  faithful  husband  until 
death  should  separate  them:  and  then  the  said  D. 
E.  did  in  like  manner  declare,  that  she  took  him  the 
said  A.  B.  to  be  her  husband,  promising,  with  divine 
assistance,  to  be  unto  him  a  loving  and  faithful  wife, 
until  death  should  separate  them.  And  moreover, 
they,  the  said  A.  B.  and  D.  E.  (she  according  to  the 
custom  of  marriage,  adopting  the  name  of  her  hus- 
band) did,  as  a  further  confirmation  thereof,  then  and 
there  to  these  presents  set  their  hands.         A.  B. 

D.  B. 

And  we  whose  names  are  also  hereunto  sub- 
scribed, being  present  at  the  solemnization  of  the 
said  marriage  have,  as  witnesses  thereto,  set  our 
hands  the  day  and  year  above  written. 

It  is  the  judgment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  that 
members  of  our  society  cannot  consistently  with 
our  religious  profession,  avail  themselves  of  any 
legal  privilege  in  dissolving  the  marriage  contract. 

That  the  marriages  of  persons  too  nearly  related 
may,  as  much  as  in  us  lies,  be  prevented,  it  is  the 
conclusion  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  that  no  marriage 
between  any  so  near  as  first  cousins,  nor  the  chil- 
dren of  hall"  brothers  or  half  sisters,  shall  be  per- 
mitted among  us.  In  relation  therefore  to  this  in- 
teresting testimony,  it  is  the  aflectionate  desire  of 
the  Yearly  Meeting,  that  where  there  is  occasion 
to  apprehend  that  any  of  our  members  are  likely  to 
join  in  marriage  with  persons  thus  related,  or  with 
those  who  are  not  in  membership  with  us,  or  that 
any  are  about  to  depart  from  our  deliberate,  fair, 
and  honorable  order   of  marriage,  by   which  that 


Marriages.  43 

right  which  belongs  to  society  to  investigate  the 
clearness  of  the  parties,  relative  to  the  consent  of 
their  parents  or  guardians,  as  also  the  further  neces- 
sary inquiry,  how  iar  such  individuals  are  clear  of 
other  marriage  engagements,  and  of  all  clandestine 
proceedings  whatever,  together  with  that  particular 
and  religious  mode  of  accomplishing  marriage,  es- 
tablished by  us,  under  the  influence  of  Divine  wis- 
dom, are  wholly  avoided  and  disregarded,  that 
elders,  overseers,  and  other  religiously  concerned 
Friends,  considering  it  as  a  duty,  be  engaged  to  take 
early  opportunities  for  advising  and  admonishing 
them  against  such  procedure,  (at  least  two  Friends 
uniting  in  such  service;)  but  should  the  party  or 
parties,  notwithstanding,  depart  from  our  well 
known  and  established  order.  Monthly  Meetings 
should  treat  with  such,  as  in  other  cases  of  oflence, 
and  if  not  brought  to  acknowledge  and  condemn 
their  misconduct,  they  are  to  be  disowned. 

And  if  any  parents  or  guardians  consent  to,  or 
promote  the  marriages  of  their  children  and  those 
under  their  care,  (members  of  society.)  contrary  to 
our  established  order;  if  after  brotherly  labor  has 
been  extended  to  them,  they  cannot  be  brought  to 
a  due  sense  of  their  error,  and  make  a  satisfactory 
acknowledgment  for  the  same.  Monthly  Meetings 
are  authorized  to  disown  them. 

It  is  further  recommended,  that  parents  exercise 
a  religious  care  in  watching  over  their  children,  and 
endeavor  to  guard  them  against  improper  or  unequal 
connexions  in  marriage:  that  they  be  not  anxious 
to  obtain  for  them  large  portions  and  settlements, 
but  that  they  be  joined  to  persons  of  religious  in- 
clinations, suitable  dispositions,  and  diligence  in 
their  business;  which  are  necessary  to  a  comfortable 
life  in  a  married  state. 


44  MARRIAGES. 

The  increase  of  the  breaches  of  our  testimony, 
in  going  from  amongst  us  in  the  weighty  engage- 
ment of  marriage,  being,  we  fear,  often  for  want  of 
due  care  in  parents,  and  those  who  have  the  import- 
ant charge  of  educating  youth,  early  to  admonish 
and  instruct  them  in  the  principles  of  truth,  and  im- 
press their  minds  with  the  duty  of  religiously  ob- 
serving them;  as  much  as  possible  restraining  them 
from  such  company  as  will  be  likely  to  entangle 
their  affections  improperly;  we  therefore  tenderly 
exhort  Friends  in  all  quarters  to  increase  their  care 
over  the  youth,  that  the  consistency  of  our  princi- 
ples in  all  respects  with  the  nature  of  true  religion, 
may  be  impressed  on  their  tender  minds,  by  upright 
examples,  as  well  as  by  precepts;  and  that  where 
there  is  apparent  danger  of  the  affections  of  any 
being  improperly  entangled,  and  the  care  of  parents 
or  guardians,  or  those  who  have  the  oversight  of 
them,  appears  not  sufficient  to  prevent  their  taking 
imprudent  steps  in  the  accomplishment  of  marriage, 
care  be  taken,  timely,  to  apply  for  the  assistance  of 
their  Friends. 

Marriage  being  a  divine  ordinance;  and  a  solemn 
engagement  for  term  of  life,  is  of  great  importance 
to  our  peace,  and  well-being  in  this  world,  and  may 
also  prove  of  no  small  consequence  respecting  our 
state  in  that  which  is  to  come;  yet  it  is  often  too  in- 
considerately entered  into,  and  upon  motives  incon- 
sistent with  the  evident  intention  of  that  unerring 
wisdom  by  which  it  was  primarily  ordained:  which 
was  for  the  mutual  assistance  and  comfort  .of  both 


MARRIAGES.  45 

sexes,  in  spirituals  and  temporals,  that  their  endeavors 
might  be  united  for  the  education  of  their  children  in 
the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord;  and  for 
the  discharge  of  their  duty  in  their  various  allot- 
ments in  the  world. 

Marriage  implies  union,  as  well  in  spiritual  as 
temporal  concerns.  Whilst  the  parties  differ  in 
religion,  they  stand  disunited  in  the  main  point; 
even  that  which  should  increase  and  confirm  their 
mutual  happiness,  and  render  them  meet-helps  and 
blessings  to  each  other.  Where  it  is  otherwise,  the 
reciprocal  obligation  into  which  they  have  entered, 
becomes  their  burden;  and  the  more  so,  as  it  may 
not  be  of  a  short  duration.  Whatever  felicity  they 
might  have  flattered  themselves  with  in  the  begin- 
ning, they  have  found  themselves  disappointed  of, 
by  the  daily  uneasiness  accompanying  their  minds, 
and  embittering  their  enjoyments. 

The  perplexed  situation  of  the  offspring  of  such 
alliances,  is  also  to  be  lamented:  attached  by  na- 
ture to  both  parents,  their  confusion  often  renders 
them  unfixed  in  principle,  and  unsettled  in  practice; 
or  if,  as  is  usual,  the  sons  attach  themselves  to  the 
father,  and  the  daughters  to  the  mother,  brothers 
and  sisters  are  trained  up  in  lines  of  conduct  diverse 
from,  and  in  some  instances  opposite  to  each  other; 
thus  differing  in  principle,  they  are  frequently  divi- 
ded in  affection,  and  though  so  nearly  related,  are 
sometimes  at  the  greatest  distance  from  that  love 
and  harmony  which  ought  continually  to  subsist 
between  them. 


46  MEETING    HOUSES. 

To  prevent  falling  into  these  disagreeable  and 
disorderly  engagements,  it  is  requisite  to  beware  of 
the  paths  that  lead  to  them — the  sordid  interests 
and  ensnaring  friendships  of  the  world,  the  contam- 
inating pleasures  and  idle  pastimes  of  earthly  minds; 
also  the  various  solicitations  and  incentives  of  fes- 
tivity and  dissipation.  Let  our  dear  youth  like- 
wise avoid  the  too  frequent  and  too  familiar  con- 
verse with  those  from  whom  may  arise  a  danger  of 
entanglement,  by  their  alluring  the  passions  and 
drawing  the  affections  after  them. 

For  want  of  due  watchfulness  and  obedience  to 
the  convictions  of  Divine  Grace  in  their  con- 
sciences, many  amongst  us  have  wounded  their  own 
souls,  distressed  their  friends,  injured  their  families, 
and  done  great  disservice  to  the  church,  by  their 
unequal  connexions;  which  have  proved  an  inlet  to 
much  degeneracy,  and  mournfully  affected  the 
minds  of  those  who  labor  under  a  livinor  concern 
for  the  good  of  all,  and  the  prosperity  of  truth  upon 
earth. 

iMEETING  HOUSES. 

Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings  are  directed  to 
make  timely  and  careful  inspection  into  the  situa- 
tion of  the  titles  of  meeting  houses,  and  burial 
grounds;  and  other  estates  wliich  have  been  vested 
in  trustees,  and  by  them  held  for  the  use  and  benefit 
of  the  society  at  large,  or  of  any  of  those  meetings; 
so  that  if  it  should  appear  needful,  by  the  death  of 
any  such  trustees,  or  otherwise,  due  and  seasonable 
care  may  be  taken  to  appoint  some  others  to  the 
trust;  that  future  difficulties  and  the  risk  of  being 
deprived  of  such  estates  may  be  avoided.     And  it 


MEETING    FOR.    SUFFERINGS.  47 

is  further  directed,  that  Quarterly  and  Monthly 
Meetings  respectively,  as  the  case  may  require, 
keep  exact  records  of  all  such  trusts  and  convey- 
ances, and  also  that  a  clear  and  regular  account  be 
kept  by  each  respective  meeting,  of  the  place 
where,  and  the  persons  with  whom,  the  papers, 
minutes,  and  records  belonging  to  our  religious  so- 
ciety, are  from  time  to  time  deposited;  wherein  due 
care  should  be  taken  to  lodge  them  with  suitable 
Friends. 

MEETING  FOR  SUFFERINGS. 

In  order  that  the  Yearly  Meeting,  with  its  several 
branches,  might  be  properly  represented,  during  the 
recess  thereof,  a  meeting  has  been  instituted  by  the 
name  of  the  "  Meeting  for  Sufferings, "  which  is  to 
consist  of  twenty-six  Friends,  appointed  by  the 
Yearly  Meeting,  and  four  Friends  appointed  by  each 
of  the  Quarterly  Meetings;  who  are  to  meet  at  White- 
water meeting  house,  in  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  at 
eleven  o'clock  on  Second-day  preceding  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  and  at  ten  o'clock  on  Fifth-day  precedin'g 
the  first  Seventh-day  in  the  Sixth  month;  but  the 
said  meeting  is  privileged  to  sit  on  its  own  adjourn- 
ments, or  to  call  a  special  meeting  whenever  four 
members  shall  judge  it  necessary;  and  is  to  be  sub- 
ject to  the  following  rules: 

I.  The  said  meeting  shall  keep  fair  minutes  of  all 
its  proceedings,  and  annually  lay  them  before  the 
Yearly  Meeting. 

II.  No  less  nuniber  than  twelve  of  the  members 
attending,  shall  constitute  a  meeting,  capable  of 
transacting  business. 

III.  On  all  occasions  of  uncommon  importance, 
previous  notice  thereof  shall  be  given  or  sent  to  all 
the  members,  if  practicable. 

IV.  In  case  the  decease  of  any  member,  or  mem- 
bers, appointed  either  bv  the  Yearly  Meeting,  or 


43  MFKTrNa   FOR    srJFFERINQS. 

Quarterly  Meetings,  should  not  be  immediately 
supplied— or  of  any  declining  or  greatly  neglecting 
their  attendance,  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  are  to 
notify  said  meeting,  or  meetings,  of  such  death  or 
delinquency,  in  order  that  the  places  of  those  may 
be  supplied  by  new  appointments. 

v.  The  said  meeting  is  not  to  adopt  any  article 
of  faith  or  discipline,  which  has  not  been  determined 
by  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

The  further  services  confided  to  the  said  Meeting 
for  Sufferings  are: 

I.  In  general  to  represent  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
and  to  appear  on  its  behalf,  in  cases  where  the  in- 
terest or  reputation  of  our  religious  society  may 
render  it  needful. 

II.  To  take  the  oversight  and  inspection  of  all 
writings  proposed  to  be  printed,  relative  to  our  reli- 
gious principles  or  testimonies;  and  to  promote  or 
suppress  tlie  same  at  their  discretion;  also  to  print 
and  distribute  any  writings  already  published  by  the 
society,  or  which  may  be  offered  for  inspection  as 
aforesaid,  and  approved;  and  in  all  cases  where  ex- 
penses are  incurred,  in  the  execution  of  the  duties 
assigned  them,  they  are  to  draw  on  the  treasurer 
of  the  Yearly  Me'eting  for  such  sums  as  may  be 
necessary. 

III.  To  inspect  and  ascertain  titles  to  lands,  or 
other  estates  belonging  to  any  of  our  meetings;  also 
to  attend  to  the  appropriation  of  charitable  legacies 
and  donations;  or  to  give  such  advice  respecting 
the  same  as  may  appear  necessary. 

IV.  To  receive  from  the  several  Quarterly  Meet- 
ings their  annual  accounts  of  sufferings,  and  also 
such  memorials  concerning  deceased  Friends,  as 
those  meetings  may  have  concurred  with:  that 
when  examined  and  approved,  they  may  be  laid 
before  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

V.  To  extend  such  advice  and  assistance,  to  any 


MEETINGS    FOR    WORSHIP.  49 

individuals  under  sufferings  for  our  testimonies,  as 
their  cases  may  require;  and  if  necessary,  to  apply 
to  the  government,  or  persons  in  authority,  on  their 
behalf. 

VI.  To  correspond  with  such  other  Meetings  for 
Sufferings,  as  are  or  may  be  established  by  any 
other  Yearly  Meeting  of  our  religious  society,  on 
the  common  concerns  of  the  society. 

It  is  the  judgment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that  a 
Monthly  or  Quarterly  Meeting,  or  committee  of 
the  Yearly  Meeting,  should  not  petition  or  memo- 
rialize Congress  or  a  Legislature,  in  the  name  of  the 
society, — but  that  if  any  necessity  require,  in  any 
case  of  emergency,  a  meeting  of  the  Meeting  for 
Sufferings  should  be  called,  to  which  the  subject  of 
petition  should  be  presented,  and  in  the  recess  of 
the  Yearly  Meeting,  full  powers  are  conferred  on 
the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  to  act,  as  in  their  judg- 
ment, the  case  may  require. 

Approved  ministers,  and  members  of  any  other 
Meeting  for  Sufferings,  corresponding  with  this, 
may  also  be  permitted  to  attend  its  sittings,  when 
they  are  so  inclined. 

MEETINGS  FOR  WORSHIP. 

It  is  directed,  that  those  who  come  late  to  meet- 
ings, or.  when  there,  fall  asleep,  or  are  restless,  or 
do  not  stay  in  the  meeting,  but  go  forth  un- 
necessarily, or  otherwise  demean  themselves  un- 
becoming our  holy  profession,  on  these  solemn 
occasions,  be  tenderly  treated  with  and  seasonably 
admonished:  and  that  Friends  who  are  exercised  in 
the  discipline,  pay  early  attention,  in  the  love  of  the 
gospel,  to  such  as  neglect  their  duty  in  attending 
our  Meetings  for  Worship.  A  wilful  neglect  in  this 
important  duty,  being  a  manifest  evidence  of  in- 
gratitude to  the  Divine  Author  of  all  our  mercies, 
and  contrary  to  the  practice  of  the  primitive  be- 
5 


50  MEETINGS   FOR    WORSHIP, 

licvers  in  Christ,  and  our  religious  testimony — it  is 
the  judgment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that  Monthly 
Meetings,  after  having  fully  discharged  their  duty 
towards  such,  and  finding  their  endeavors  to  reclaim 
them  ineffectual,  should  testify  our  disunity  with 
them. 

It  is  the  fervent  concern  of  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
to  press  upon  the  consideration  of  our  members,  the 
awful  duty  of  pure  and  spiritual  worship.  It  is  not 
enough  that,  after  the  example  of  our  forefathers, 
we  meet  together  in  one  place,  in  outward  silence; 
rejecting  those  forms  and  ceremonies  which  were 
invented  by  the  wisdom,  as  well  as  that  w^orship 
which  is  performed  only  in  the  will  of  man;  it  is 
not  enough  that  with  a  commendable  diligence,  we 
attend  all  our  religious  meetings;  unless  also,  like 
them,  we  wait  in  humble  reverence  for  spiritual 
ability  to  worship  acceptably  the  Lord  of  lieaven 
and  earth.  May  we  therefore  humbly  and  diligently 
wait  in  the  spirit  of  our  minds,  for  the  coming  of 
Him  who  told  his  disciples,  ''"without  wze,  ye  can  do 
nothing  f^  that  w^e  may  experience  the  influence  of 
his  spirit,  to  enlighten  and  quicken  the  soul  to  a  true 
sight  of  its  condition ;  that  feeling  the  spirit  of  suppl  ica- 
tion,  we  may  approach  the  throne  of  grace ;  and  under 
a  renewed  sense  of  the  Father's  mercy  and  goodness, 
may  be  enabled  to  offer  the  tribute  of  worship  and 
the  sacrifice  of  praise. 

This  is  the  important  purpose  of  our  assembling 
together  in  silence:  and  though  at  times  there  may 
be  amongst  us  but  little  instrumental  ministry,  or 


MEETINGS    FOR    WORSHIP.  51 

even  none,  let  not  this  produce  any  abatement  of 
diligence  in  the  duty.  Instrumental  ministry,  in 
the  life  and  power  of  the  gospel,  is  a  great  favor  to 
the  church;  but  the  distinguishing  excellence  of  the 
christian  dispensation,  is  the  immediate  communica- 
tion with  our  Heavenly  Father,  through  the  inward 
revelation  of  the  spirit  of  Christ.  May,  therefore, 
the  deportment  of  our  members,  while  engaged  in 
this  most  solemn  duty,  be  such  as  to  demonstrate 
that  they  are  earnest  in  the  great  duty  of  waiting 
upon,  and  worshipping  God,  in  spirit;  that  serious 
and  tender  hearted  inquirers  may  be  encouraged  to 
come,  and  partake  in  our  assemblies  of  that  in- 
ward and  spiritual  refreshment  and  consolation, 
which  the  Lord  is  graciously  pleased  to  impart  to 
the  souls  of  such  as  are  humble  in  his  sight,  and 
approach  his  holy  presence  with  reverence  and 
fear. 

R  is  further  directed,  that  Friends  keep  their 
children,  and  such  (members)  as  are  under  their 
care,  to  a  constant,  seasonable,  and  orderly  atten- 
dance of  meetings,  both  on  First-days,  and  on  other 
days  of  the  week,  instructing  them  agreeably  to  the 
ability  received,  to  wait  in  stillness  upon  the  Lord, 
that  they  may  receive  a  portion  of  his  spiritual 
favor,  and  from  the  tendering  virtue  of  his  Holy 
Spirit,  may  be  engaged,  in  heart  and  mind,  to  walk 
worthy  of  so  great  grace,  and  in  a  holy  zeal  for  his 
honor,  submit  to  bear  the  cross,  endure  the  shame? 
and  become  dedicated  witnesses  for  him  among  men. 


$■2  MEMOTlIALS.rg-MINISTERS  AND    ELDERS,  &C. 

% 

As  the  appecPFance  of  drowsiness  in  our  religious 
meetings  is  ollensive,  and  may  be  a  cause  of  stum- 
bling to  such  sober  inquirers  as  come  among  us, 
Friends  are  earnestly  exhorted  to  strive  against  it, 
that  no  appearance  thereof  may  be  seen  in  our  as- 
semblies; and  if  any  give  way  to  it,  (as  indulgence 
therein,  must  necessarily  have  a  disqualifying  influ- 
ence,) it  is  the  desire  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that 
Quarterly,  Monthly,  and  other  meetings,  be  cautious 
of  employing  such  members,  in  the  weighty  services 
of  discipline. 

MEMORIALS. 

To  commemorate  the  lives  of  the  righteous,  is  a 
tribute  due  to  their  memory;  and  may  prove  an  in- 
centive to  the  living  to  follow  after  their  virtues.  If, 
therefore,  any  Monthly  Meeting  should,  upon  solid 
consideration,  believe  that  it  would  be  profitable  to 
prepare  a  memorial  concerning  a  deceased  member, 
such  memorial  is  to  be  sent  to  the  respective  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  where  it  is  to  be  further  considered; 
and  if  approved,  is  from  thence  to  be  forwarded  to 
the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  in  order  for  inspection 
and  approbation,  previous  to  its  being  laid  before  the 
Yearly  Meeting. 

It  is  also  required,  that  Quarterly  and  Monthly 
Meetings  furnish  the  Yearly  Meeting,  annually, 
with  an  account  of  the  decease  of  such  of  their 
members,  in  the  station  of  ministers  or  elders,  as 
have  occurred  within  the  year. 

MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS, 

AND 

MEETINGS  OF  MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS. 

Persuaded  as  we  are,  that  gospel  ministry  is  not 
of  man,  but  by  the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ,  agree- 
ably to  that  apostolic  charge — "As  every  man  hath 
^'received  the  gift,  even  so  minister  the  same  one  to 


MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS,  fcc.  53 

"  another,  as  good  stewards  of  the  manifold  grace 
"of  God;  if  any  man  speak,  let  him  speak  as  the 
"oracles  of  God;  if  any  man  minister,  let  him  do  it 
"as  of  the  ability  which  God  giveth:  that  God  in  all 
"things  may  be  glorified.*'  I.  Peter,  iv. — 10,  11. 
Holding  it  therefore  to  be  a  doctrine  truly  christian, 
that  the  spirit  of  God  is  the  foundation  of  all  true 
knowledge  in  relation  to  that  duty  which  we  owe  to 
Him,  and  one  to  another,  we  earnestly  exhort,  that 
those  amongst  us  who  apprehend  that  they  are 
called  to  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  may,  in  their 
public  services  especially,  attend  closely  to  their 
several  and  peculiar  gifts,  waiting  for  that  divine 
ability  by  which  they  may  faithfully  and  availingly 
minister  the  word. 

We  also  desire  with  earnest  solicitude,  that  those 
who  are  placed  in  the  very  important  department  of 
elders  in  the  church,  may  evince  a  correspondent 
qualification  rightly  to  judge  of  the  ministry,  and 
manifest  a  concern  for  the  support  of  our  religious 
testimonies,  and  the  preservation  of  our  discipline, 
as  well  as  for  the;  advancement  of  truth  and  righ- 
teousness. 

Ministers  and  elders  thus  united, become  mutually 
useful  to  each  other;  and  are  as  nursing  fathers  and 
mothers  in  the  church;  particularly  to  those  who 
are  young  in  the  ministry:  for  this  class  we  earnestly 
desire,  that  they  may,  with  all  care  and  diligence,  be 
advised  and  admonished;  and,  if  occasion  appear,  re- 
proved in  a  tender  and  christian  spirit;  let  them  also  be 
exhorted  frequently  to  read  the  holy  scriptures,  and 
earnestly  to  seek  the  mind  of  the  spirit  of  truth,  to 
open  the  mysteries  contained  in  them.  Ministers 
thus  abiding  in  a  simple  and  patient  submission  to 

the  will  of  God,  and  keeping  down  to  the  openings 
5* 


54  MINISTERS    AND    ELBERS,  &;C. 

of  divine  life  in  themselves,  may  witness  a  growth 
in  their  gifts,  and  will  also  be  preserved  from  ex- 
tending their  dcchirations  furtlicr  than  they  find  the 
power  of  trutli  to  accompany  them. 

If  any,  in  the  course  of  their  ministry,  shall  mis- 
apply, or  draw  unsound  inferences,  or  wrong  con- 
clusions from  the  text,  or  shall  misbehave  themselves 
in  point  of  conduct  or  conversation,  let  ihem  be  ad- 
monished in  love  and  tenderness,  by  the  elders  or 
overseers  where  they  live;  and  if  they  prove  refrac- 
tory, and  refuse  to  acknowledge  their  faults,  they 
must  be  further  treated  with,  in  the  wisdom  of  truth, 
as  the  case  may  require. 

As  the  occasion  of  our  religious  meetings  is 
solemn,  a  care  should  be  maintained  to  guard  against 
any  thing  that  would  tend  to  disorder  or  confusion 
therein;  when  any  think  they  have  aught  against 
what  is  publicly  delivered,  they  should  speak  to  the 
party  privately;  and  if  any  shall  oppose  a  minister 
in  his  or  her  preaching  or  exhortation:  or  keep  on 
the  hat,  or  shew  any  remarkable  dislike  to  such 
when  en,f,^aged  in  prayer,  let  them  be  speedily  ad- 
monished in  such  manner  as  may  be  requisite,  un- 
less the  ministry  of  the  person  against  whom  the 
uneasiness  is  expressed,  has  been  disapproved  by 
the  Monthly  Meeting. 

In  every  Monthly  Meeting  two  or  more  Friends 
of  each  sex  are  to  he  selected  to  sit  with  the  minis- 
ters, and  thoy  together  are  to  compose  a  rweeting,  to 
be  denominated  a  Pi^cparative  Mectivg  of  Ministers 
and  Elders,  Care  should  be  taken  that  those  cho- 
sen for  the  service  be  prudent  discreet  Friends, 
and  that  they  duly  discharge  the  trust  confided  to 
them. 

When  there  is  occasion  for  the  appointment  of 
one  or  more  Elders  in  any  meeting,  the  nomination 


MINISTERS    AND    ELDERS,  &C.  55 

of  a  Friend  or  Friends  for  that  station  should  take 
place  in  the  Preparative  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders,  and,  when  concurred  in,  the  proposition 
should  be  forwarded  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of 
Ministers  and  Elders,  by  which,  if  united  in,  it  should 
be  transmitted  to  the  Preparative  Meeting  of  Minis- 
ters and  Elders,  which  may  then  introduce  the  pro- 
position to  the  consideration  of  the  Monthly  Meet- 
ing of  men  Friends,  if  the  case  be  that  of  a  man, 
and  to  the  women,  if  the  person  be  a  female,  where 
the  subject  is  to  be  considered,  and  if  united  with, 
by  both  men's  and  women's  meetings,  they  are  to 
be  appointed,  and  information  given  to  the  Prepara- 
tive meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  and  by  them 
forwarded  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers 
and  Elders. 

Certificates  of  removal  are  not  to  convey  the 
rights  of  Elders,  but  the  division  of  a  Monthly 
Meeting  is  not  to  render  the  re-appolntment  of 
Elders  necessary. 

But  when  a  Monthly  Meeting  is  divided,  should 
there  not  be  a  sufficient  number  of  ministers  and 
elders  to  compose  a  Select  Meeting,  within  each  of 
those  Monthly  Meetings,  the  members  in  both  shall 
continue  to  compose  one  Preparative  Meeting,  until 
the  number  shall  be  sufficient  to  compose  two. 
\^  When  any  Friend  has  frequently  appeared  in  our 
\eligious  meetings  as  a  Minister,  and  the  Preparative 
DJIeeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  apprehends  that 
^^,^t  is  seasonable  the  subject  should  claim  the  atten- 
tion of  the  Monthly  Meeting  for  Discipline,  of  which 
the  person  is  a  member,  the  Select  Preparative  and 
Quarterly  Meetings  shall  proceed  as  in  the  case  of 
appointing  Elders;  and  until  the  approbation  of  the 
Monthly  Meeting  is  obtained,  no  such  Friend  is  to 
be  received  as  a  minister,  nor  permitted  to  sit  in  the 
Meetings  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  nor  allowed  to 
travel  abroad  as  a  minister. 


56  MINISTERS    AND    ELPERS,  &C. 

When  any  approved  minister  apprehends  it  to  be 
a  duty  to  travel  in  the  service  of  truth,  beyond  the 
limits  of  their  Quarterly  Meeting,  he  or  she  is  to 
open  their  concern  in  the  Monthly  Meeting  both  of 
men  and  women  Friends,  to  which  they  belong, 
and  obtain  a  certificate  or  minute  (as  the  occasion 
may  be)  of  their  unity  and  concurrence,  directed  to 
Friends  within  the  ])arts  pro|5osed  to  be  visited,  and 
signed  by  the  clerks  of  the  men's  and  women's 
meeting;  and  it  is  required,  that  when  the  service 
is  accomplished,  the  said  meeting  be  informed 
thereof,  and  the  certificate  returned,  without  unne- 
cessary delay. 

No  minister  is  to  appoint  a  meeting  beyond  the 
limits  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  to  which  he  or  she 
belongs,  without  the  concurrence  of  their  respec- 
tive Monthly  Meetings.  And  if  a  minister  is  con- 
cerned to  appoint  a  meeting  within  the  verge  of 
the  Quarter,  if  to  wait  for  the  approbation  of  the 
Monthly  Meeting  appears  to  interfere  with  the  pro- 
per time  for  appointing  such  meeting,  the  united 
sense  of  the  elders  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  which 
he  or  she  is  a  member,  or  of  those  of  the  Monthly 
Meeting  within  the  compass  of  which  such  appoint- 
ment is  proposed,  may  be  accepted  as  sufficient 
privilege. 

When  any  minister  is  religiously  concerned  to 
make  a  general  visit  to  the  meetings  of  Friends, 
either  within  or  beyond  the  limits  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  and  has  obtained  a  certificate  for  that  pur- 
pose from  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  which  he  or  she 
is  a  member,  the  certificate  must  also  be  laid  before 
the  respective  Quarterly  Meeting;  and  if  the  con- 
cern is  concurred  with,  an  endorsement  must  be 
entered  upon  the  certificate,  and  signed  by  the  clerks 
of  the  men's  and  women's  Meetings. 

The  Ministers   and    Elders   of    each  Monthly 
Meeting  are  required  to  meet  once  in  three  months, 


MINISTERS    AND   ELDERS,  &C.  57 

at  such  time  and  place  as  the  Monthly  Meeting  may 
direct,  in  the  capacity  of  a  Preparative  Meeting  of 
Ministers  and  Elders:  when,  after  a  time  of  solid 
retirement,  the  queries  addressed  to  such  meetings 
are  to  be  read  and  considered,  and  distinct  answers 
made  to  them  in  writing,  which,  when  signed  by 
the  clerk,  are  to  be  conveyed  to  the  ensuing  Quar- 
terly Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  by  two  or 
more  Friends  to  be  mentioned  in  the  report,  as  rep- 
resentatives; here  also,  if,  in  the  course  of  inquiry, 
any  deficiency  has  appeared,  care  should  be  taken 
that  it  be  remedied. 

And  in  the  Quarterly  Meetings  the  same  queries 
are  also  to  be  read,  together  with  the  answers 
which  are  brought  from  their  Preparative  Meetings. 
In  these  meetings  the  state  of  the  members  is  to  be 
weightily  considered,  that  where  occasion  requires 
it,  advice  and  counsel  may  be  seasonably  extended; 
and  once  in  the  year,  those  answers  comprised  in  a 
written  report  and  signed  by  the  clerk,  are  to  be 
forwarded  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders,  by  four  or  more  Friends  appointed  as  repr^ 
sentatives;  in  this  meeting  the  queries  are  also  to 
be  read,  with  the  answers  from  the  several  Quarters, 
and  the  state  of  this  part  of  the  society  being  col- 
lected and  considered,  advices  adapted  thereto,  may, 
if  requisite,  be  issued  to  the  subordinate  Select 
Meetings.  Here  all  such  ministers  as  apprehend 
they  are  required  to  go  in  truth's  service  beyond 
sea,  after  obtaining  a  certificate  of  the  concur- 
rence of  the  Monthly  Meeting,  endorsed  by  the 
respective  Quarter,  are  to  communicate  their  pros- 
pects of  duty  relative  thereto,  and  produce  the  said 
certificates;  and  if  upon  solid  consideration,  the 
same  are  united  with  by  the  said  Meeting  of  Minis- 
ters and  Elders,  a  certificate  thereof,  signed  by  the 
clerk,  should  be  granted. 

None   of  the   said  Meetings   of  Ministers  and 


58  MODERATION    AND    TEMPERANCE. 

Elders  are  in  any  wise  to  interfere  with  the  hiisiness 
of  any  meeting  for  Discipline;  nor  is  the  Yearly 
Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  to  suffer  its  ad- 
journments to  uUerfere  with  the  sittings  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting  for  Discipline. 

And  finally,  if  any  acknowledged  member  of  our 
Meetings  of  Ministers  and  Elders  shall  at  any  time 
bethought,  by  negligence,  unfaithfulness,  or  other- 
wise, to  have  lost  his  or  her  service  in  that  station, 
so  as  to  become  burthensome  and  the  subject  of  un- 
easiness, (yet  not  so  as  to  be  under  the  care  of  a 
meeting  of  Discipline  on  that  account,  or  for  mis- 
conduct) it  is  advised,  that  a  timely  and  tender  care 
be  extended  to  such  person,  according  to  gospel 
order;  first  by  the  individuals  concerned,  and  then 
by  the  Preparative  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders 
to  which  he  or  she  may  belong;  should  these  labors 
prove  unavailing,  report  of  the  case  should  be  made 
by  that  meeting  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Min- 
isters and  Elders,  where  a  few  Friends  should  be 
deputed  to  assist  the  said  Preparative  Meeting,  in  a 
further  extension  of  labor  with  the  party:  if  this 
also  prove  unavailing,  and  on  report  thereof  to  the 
said  Quarterly  Meeting,  it  appears  that  the  said 
Preparative  Meeting  has  fully  discharged  its  duty 
to  the  individual,  the  case  should  then  be  transmitted 
to  the  Monthly  Meeting  for  Discipline  of  which  the 
party  is  a  member,  and  left  under  its  care,  and  he 
or  she  ought  from  that  time  to  refrain  from  attending 
any  such  meetings,  until  they  shall  be  again  recom- 
mended or  appointed  as  at  first. 

MODERATION  AND  TEMPERANCE. 

It  is  a  consideration  claiming  our  serious  regard, 

that   our  worthy    ancestors,   having   their    views 

directed  towards  an  enduring  inheritance,  and  their 

affections  established  upon  things  above,  sought  not 


MODERATION    AND    TEMPERANCE.  59 

after  the  splendor  of  this  world.  In  minds  thus  bent 
upon  seeking  a  more  glorious  inheritance  than  tem- 
porals can  afford,  the  love  of  this  world  had  but 
little  influence;  they  were  conspicuous  examples 
of  temperance  and  moderation.  A  defection  from 
this  simplicity  of  heart  and  heavenly-mindedness; 
leading  into  the  inordinate  love  and  pursuit  of  the 
things  of  this  world,  hath  prevailed  with  too  many 
amongst  us,  and  produced  the  fruits  of  pride  and 
ambition.  These  have  introduced  many  imaginary 
wants  from  which  our  ancestors  were  preserved 
by  their  simplicity.  To  -satisfy  these  wants,  some 
have  been  excited  to  enter  into  a  larger  extension  of 
trade  and  commerce  than  they  had  stock  and  ability 
to  conduct.  Vain  ambition,  and  an  emulation  in- 
consistent with  the  truth,  have  led  many  into 
extravagant  expenses.  Reduced  by  these  means  in 
their  circumstances,  yet  unwilling  to  lessen  their 
appearance  in  the  world,  some  have  resorted  to  in- 
direct methods  to  procure  a  temporary  support, 
which  have  too  frequently  ended  in  failures  and 
bankruptcies. 

Whilst,  therefore,  we  hold  it  to  be  an  indubitable 
truth,  that  moderation  and  temperance  are  insepara- 
ble from  the  christian  religion,  we  affectionately 
beseech  our  members  to  abstain  from  all  appearance 
of  evil  in  relation  thereto.  And  particularly  as 
respects  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors  of  every 
description.  Is  it  not  affectingly  to  be  observed, 
that  a  baneful  excess  in  drinking  spirituous  liquors 


60  NEGROES    AND    SLAVES. 

is  prevalent  amongst  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  our 
land?  How  evident  are  the  corrupting,  debasing, 
and  ruinous  effects  consequent  upon  the  importar 
tion,  distillation,  and  retailing  of  them,  whereby 
intemperance  is  greatly  aided  and  encouraged,  to 
the  impoverishment  of  many,  distempering  the  con- 
stitutions and  understandings  of  many  more,  and 
increasing  vice  and  dissoluteness  in  the  land,  with 
which  many  religiously  attentive  minds  have  long 
been  painfully  exercised! 

It  is  the  fervent  desire  of  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
that  Friends  in  all  quarters  may  be  earnestly  ex- 
cited to  suffer  the  afiecting  importance  ol  this  evil, 
religiously  to  impress  their  minds,  and  that  Monthly 
Meetings  may  labor  in  the  spirit  of  love  and  ten- 
derness with  those  who  use  ardent  spirits  as  an 
article  of  drink  in  harvest,  or  on  other  occasions, 
the  medical  use  only  excepted,  and  also  with  those 
who  sell  or  grind  grain  for  distillation,  or  furnish 
fruit  or  other  materials  for  that  purpose;  and  also 
such  as  aid  the  business  by  furnishing  vessels  to 
prepare  or  hold  such  liquors,  or  are  concerned  in 
conveying  it  to  or  from  market,  or  vend,  or  in  any 
wise  aid  the  commerce  of  that  article.  And  if  such 
labor  prove  ineffectual  to  reclaim  from  the  practice 
or  encouragement  of  so  desolating  an  evil,  and  after 
the  hope  of  gaining  such  by  brotherly  treatment  is 
over,  Monthly  Meetings  may  proceed  to  disown 
them. 

NEGROES  AND  SLAVES. 

Asa  religious  society,  we  have  found  it  to  be  our 
indispensable  duty  to  declare  to  the  world,  our  belief 
of  the  repugnancy  of  slavery,  to  the  christian  reli- 
gion.    It  therefore   remains  to   be   our  continued 


NEGROES    AND    SLAVES.  61 

concern,  to  prohibit  our  members  from  holding  in 
bondage  our  fellow  men.  And,  at  the  present  time, 
we  apprehend  it  to  be  incumbent  on  every  individual 
deeply  to  consider  his  own  particular  share  in  this 
testimony.  The  slow  progress  in  the  emancipation 
of  this  part  of  the  human  family,  we  lament;  but 
nevertheless,  do  not  despair  of  their  ultimate  en- 
largement. And  we  desire  that  Friends  may  not 
suffer  the  deplorable  condition  of  these  our  enslaved 
fellow  beings,  to  lose  its  force  upon  their  minds, 
through  the  delay  which  the  opposition  of  interested 
men,  may  occasion  in  this  work  of  justice  and  mercy; 
but  rather  be  animated  to  consider,  that  the  longer 
the  opposition  remains,  the  greater  is  the  necessity, 
on  the  side  of  righteousness  and  benevolence,  for 
our  steady  perseverance  in  pleading  their  cause. 

Let  us  also,  amidst  our  sympathy  for  the  sufferers, 
not  forget  to  cultivate  those  sensations,  which  direct 
the  mind  in  pity  towards  the  deplorable  state  of 
such  men,  whether  in  foreign  countries  or  our  own, 
as  promote,  procure,  and  execute,  the  tearing  away 
of  the  Africans  from  their  native  land,  as  well  as 
for  those  who  detain  them  in  bondage;  remembering 
that  they  are  men,  equally  interested  with  us  in  the 
rewards  of  futurity.  Believing,  therefore,  as  we  do, 
that  a  just  and  dreadful  retribution  awaits  the  unre- 
penting  and  obdurate  oppressor,  at  that  awful  tribu- 
nal, where  sophistry  will  not  prevail  to  exculpate; 
let  us  seek  for,  and  cherish,  that  disposition  of  mind 
which  can  pray  for  these  enemies  of  humanity,  and 
6 


62  NEGROES  AND    SLAVES. 

fervently  breathe  for  their  restoration  to  soundness 
of  judgment,  and  purity  of  principle. 

In  relation  to  this  oppressed  people,  we  earnestly 
desire,  that  such  of  them  as  may  be  under  the  care 
of  any  of  our  members,  may  be  treated  with  kind- 
ness, and  as  objects  of  the  common  salvation,  in- 
structed in  the  principles  of  the  christian  religion, 
as  well  as  in  such  branches  of  school  learning  as 
may  fit  them  for  freedom,  and  to  become  useful 
members  of  civil  society.  Also,  that  Friends  in 
their  respective  neighborhoods,  advise  and  assist 
such  of  them  as  are  at  liberty,  in  the  education  of 
their  children,  and  common  worldly  concerns. 

If  any  in  membership  with  us,  should  hire  slaves 
to  assist  them  in  their  business,  it  is  the  judgment 
of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that  in  so  doing,  such  pro- 
mote the  unrighteous  traffic,  and  oppose  our  testi- 
mony against  slavery.  And  where  they  cannot  be 
prevailed  upon  to  desist  therefrom.  Monthly  Meet- 
ings are  at  liberty  to  declare  their  disunity  with 
them. 

If  any  of  our  members  should  purchase  slaves,  to 
be  liberated  after  a  term  of  years,  however  they 
may  be  induced  thereto,  from  an  apparent  motive 
of  contributing  to  the  cause  of  humanity;  yet  it  is 
the  judgment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that  it  is  a 
practice  which  ought  to  be  discouraged;  believing 
that  upon  due  reflection  it  will  be  found,  that  those 
do  not  support  a  faithful  testimony  against  slavery. 

We  believe  also,  that  a  proper  regard  to  this  tes- 
timony, would  lead  our  members  to  avoid  acting  as 
executors  or  administrators,  to  estates  where  slaves 


NEGROES  AND    SLAVES.  63 

are  bequeathed,  or  being  accessary  to  any   step 
whereby  their  bondage  may  be  prolonged. 

The  situation  of  those  black  people  who  have 
been  held  as  slaves,  by  any  of  us  or  our  predeces- 
sors, calls  for  our  serious  examination  and  inquiry, 
how  far  we  are  clear  of  withholding  from  them 
what,  under  such  an  exercise,  may  be  opened  to  our 
view  as  their  just  right;  and  we  earnestly  and  affec- 
tionately entreat  those  in  particular,  who  have  re- 
leased any  of  them,  to  attend  to  the  further  manifes- 
tations of  duty.  Even  if  no  such  obligations  to 
this  people  existed  amongst  us,  it  is  worthy  of  our 
consideration,  whether  any  object  of  benificence  is 
more  deserving  of  our  regard,  than  that  of  training 
up  their  youth  in  such  virtuous  principles  and  habits 
as  may  render  them  useful  and  respectable  members 
of  the  community. 

And  further,  it  is  the  conclusion  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  that  if  any  of  our  members  are  concerned 
in  importing,  selling,  or  purchasing;  or  shall  give 
away  or  transfer,  any  negro  or  other  slave,  with,  or 
without  any  other  consideration  than  to  clear  their 
estate  of  future  incumbrance,  or  in  such  manner 
that  their  bondage  is  continued  beyond  the  time 
limited  by  law  or  custom  for  white  persons;  and 
also,  if  any  shall  accept  of  such  gift  or  assignment, 
or  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  such  persons,  they 
ought  to  be  speedily  treated  with  in  the  spirit  of 
love  and  wisdom,  in  order  to  convince  them  of  the 
iniquity  of  their  conduct;  and  if,  after  christian 
labor,  they  cannot  be  brought  to  such  a  sense  of  their 
injustice,  as  to  do  whatever  the  Monthly  Meeting 
shall  judge  to  be  necessary,  for  the  restoration  of 
such  slave  to  his  or  her  natural  and  just  liberty,  and 


64  OATHS. 

condemn  their  deviation  from  the  law  of  righteous- 
ness and  equity,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  said 
meeting,  such  ought  to  be  disowned  as  other  trans- 
gressors are,  for  immoral,  unjust,  and  reproachful 

conduct. 

OATHS. 

Our  testimony  against  the  imposition  of  oaths  is 
founded  upon  the  following  express  and  positive 
command  of  the  Author  of  the  christian  religion — 
viz. — "Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said  by  them 
of  old  time,  thou  shalt  not  forswear  thyself;  but 
shalt  perform  unto  the  Lord  thine  oaths;  but  I  say 
unto  you,  swear  not  at  all;  neither  by  heaven,  for 
it  is  God's  throne;  nor  by  the  earth,  for  it  is  his 
footstool;  neither  by  Jerusalem,  for  it  is  the  city  of 
the  Great  King;  neither  shalt  thou  swear  by  thy  head, 
because  thou  canst  not  make  one  hair  white  or  black; 
but  let  your  communications  be  yea,  yea;  nay,  nay; 
for  whatsoever  is  more  than  these,  cometh  of  evil.'' 
Mat.  V— 33  to  37. 

This  testimony  we  also  find  w^as  clearly  held  up, 
and  emphatically  enjoined,  by  the  apostle  James, 
upon  his  christian  brethren — "But  above  all  things, 
my  brethren,"  says  he,  "swear  not;  neither  by  hea- 
ven, neither  by  the  earth,  neither  by  any  other  oath: 
but  let  your  yea  be  yea,  and  your  nay,  nay;  lest  ye 
fall  into  condemnation." — Jas.  v. — 12. 

Believing  therefore,  as  we  do,  that  no  argument 
can  invalidate  a  prohibition  thus  clear  and  positive, 
we  are  bound  religiously  to  regard  it;  and  whilst 
we  feel  gratitude  to  our  rulers  for  the  continuance 
of  that  indulgence,  by  which  our  affirmation  is  ac- 
cepted, let  us  evince  our  sincerity  in  relation  to 
this  testimony,  by  faithfully  maintaining  it. 

And  when  any  of  our  members,  either  in  courts 
or  elsewhere,  violate  it,  -either  by  taking  or  admin- 
istering oaths.  Monthly  Meetings  are  desired  to 
extend  brotherly  labor  towards  them;  and  if  they 


OVERSEERS.  65 

cannot  be  prevailed  upon  to  give  the  necessary  sat- 
isfaction, to  testify  their  disunity  with  them. 

We  also  believe  that  a  proper  regard  to  the  obli- 
gations of  this  testimony,  would  lead  our  members 
to  procure  such  persons  as  witnesses  to  instruments 
of  writings  rendering  them  necessary,  as  will  attest 
them  by  affirmation. 

OVERSEERS. 

It  is  the  recommendation  and  desire  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  as  productive  of  very  beneficial  conse- 
quences to  society,  that  in  every  Monthly  Meeting, 
a  proper  number  of  faithful  and  judicious  men  and 
women  Friends,  belonging  to  each  of  the  Particular 
or  Preparative  Meetings,  be  appointed  to  the  station 
of  Overseers  within  the  same;  whose  duty  it  is  to 
exercise  a  vigilant  and  tender  care  over  their  fellow- 
members;  that  if  any  thing  repugnant  to  the  har- 
mony and  good  order  of  the  society  appears  amongst 
them,  it  may  be  timely  attended  to.  And  to  pre- 
vent the  introduction  of  all  unnecessary  and  pre- 
mature complaints  to  meetings  of  business,  it  is 
advised,  that  if  any  member  shall  have  cause  of 
complaint  against  another,  it  be  mentioned  to  the 
overseers;  who  are  to  see  that  the  party  complained 
of  has  been  treated  with,  according  to  gospel  order, 
previously  to  the  case  being  reported  to  the  Pre- 
parative or  Monthly  Meeting.  And  should  com- 
plaints be  made  to  the  overseers,  or  other  judicious 
Friends,  against  any  of  our  members,  by  persons 
who  have  not  a  right  of  membership  with  us,  the 
complaint  ought  not  to  be  slighted  or  rejected  be- 
cause the  complainant  is  not  a  member,  but  such 
care  should  be  extended  in  the  case,  as  may  evince 
that  our  object  is  the  equal  and  impartial  administra- 
tion of  justice,  without  respect  to  persons.  And  it 
is  desired,  that  in  dealing  with  any,  it  be  done  in  the 
6* 


66  PARENTS    AND    CHILDREN. 

spirit  of  meekness  and  love,  patiently  endeavoring 
to  instruct  and  advise  them;  which,  if  ineflectual, 
the  Preparative  Meeting  should  be  informed  thereof; 
that,  if  needful,  the  case  may  be  laid  before  the 
Monthly  Meeting;  of  which  notice  should  be  given 
to  the  party,  when  it  can  be  conveniently  done. 

It  is  further  recommended  to  our  Monthly  Meet- 
ings, that  a  committee  be  appointed  at  least  once  in 
three  years,  or  as  much  oftener  as  the  occasion  may 
require,  to  consider  the  propriety  of  changing  the 
overseers,  and  bringing  forward  to  the  improvement 
of  their  gifts  other  Friends,  on  whom  a  concern  for 
the  welfare  of  the  society  rests.  And  we  tenderly 
exhort  all  om'  members,  who  may  be  rightly  called 
into  this,  or  any  other  service  of  the  church,  not 
hastily  to  excuse  themselves  therefrom,  but  solidly 
to  consider  the  weighty  advice  of  the  apostle  : — 
"Feed  the  flock  ot  God,  which  is  amongst  you;  tak- 
"  ing  the  oversight  thereof,  not  by  constraint,  but 
"  willingly;  not  for  filthy  lucre,  but  of  a  ready  mind; 
"  neither  as  lords  over  God's  heritage;  but  being  en- 
"  samples  to  the  flock:  and  when  the  chief  shepherd 
"shall  appear,  ye  shall  receive  a  crown  of  glory, 
"thatfadeth  not  away." 

PARENTS  AND   CHILDREN. 

As  next  to  our  own  souls,  our  offspring  are  the 
very  immediate  objects  of  our  care  and  concern,  we 
entreat  all  who  are  parents  and  governors  of  families, 
that  they  lay  to  heart  the  great  and  lasting  import- 
ance to  the  youth,  of  a  religious  education.  This 
would  lead  them  to  be  solicitous,  that  their  tender 
and  susceptible  minds  may  be  impressed  with  virtu- 
ous principles,  and  a  just  sense  of  the  Divine  Being, 
his  wisdom,  goodness,  power,  and  omnipresence. 
They   would  be  concerned  to  impress  them  with 


PARENTS    AND    CHILDREN.  .i"''  67 

just  sentiments  in  relation  to  the  vanity  and  fallacy 
of  transitory  enjoyments,  directing  them  to  seek 
after  that  solid  peace  and  serenity  of  mind  attendant 
upon  true  religion,  as  the  pearl  of  great  price. 

The  importance  of  an  early  instruction  in  the  law 
of  God,  is  set  forth  with  peculiar  strength,  clearness 
and  solemnity,  in  Deut.  vi.  4,  &c. — "  Hear,  O  Israel, 
"  the  Lord  our  God  is  one  Lord,  and  thou  shalt  love 
"  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thine  heart,  and  with 
"all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  might;  and  these 
"  words  which  I  command  thee  this  day  shall  be  in 
"  thine  heart,  and  thou  shalt  teach  them  diligently 
"unto  thy  children,  and  shalt  talk  of  them  w^hien 
"  thou  sittest  in  thine  house,  and  when  thou  walkest 
"  by  the  way,  and  when  thou  liest  down,  and  when 
"  thou  risest  up."  We  know,  that  virtue  does  not 
descend  by  lineal  succession,  nor  piety  by  inheri- 
tance; yet  we  trust,  that  the  Almighty  graciously 
regards  the  sincere  endeavors  of  those  parents, 
wdiose  early  and  unremitting  care  is  over  their  off- 
spring for  good.  Be  ye  therefore  examples  to  them 
in  your  meetings,  your  families  and  employments. 
Keep  them,  while  young,  out  of  the  vain  fashions, 
the  corrupt  customs,  and  unprofitable  conversation 
of  the  world;  laboring  to  convince  their  young  and 
tender  minds,  of  the  propriety  of  restraint,  when 
necessary;  exhorting  them  in  meekness,  and  com- 
manding in  wisdom.  And,  as  they  advance  in  age, 
guard  them  against  the  reading  of  plays,  romances, 
and  other  licentious  publications,  of  a  nature  preju- 
dicial to   the  promotion  of  Christianity;   likewise 


68  PARENTS    AND    CHILDREN. 

against  public  pastimes  and  pernicious  diversions; 
all  which  have  a  tendency  to  draw  the  incautious 
mind  from  a  sense  of  religious  duty,  to  bring  it  into 
a  state  of  alienation  from  the  Divine  life,  and  to 
deprive  it  of  that  inexpressible  comfort  and  delight 
attendant  upon  the  daily  excercise  of  religion  and 
virtue. 

In  much  love  to  the  rising  generation,  we  exhort 
them  to  avoid  the  many  vanities  and  ensnaring  cor- 
ruptions to  which  they  are  exposed.  Bear  in  mind, 
dear  youth,  that  "  the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  begin- 
ning of  wisdom."  Take  advice  of  godly  parents, 
guardians,  and  friends:  ever  remembering  that  chil- 
dren ought  to  obey  their  parents  in  the  Lord,  and 
that  disobedience  therein  is  a  breach  of  the  moral 
law,  and  was  always  offensive  in  the  Divine  sight. 

With  tender  solicitude  we  press  it  upon  you,  flee 
from  every  thing  which  may  have  a  tendency  to 
despoil  your  innocence,  and  to  render  your  minds 
less  receptive  of  that  holy  influence  which  your 
enlightened  judgment  demonstrates  to  be  truth. 
We  beseech  you,  attend  to  this  heavenly  instructor, 
and  dutifully  yield  to  the  correspondent  tender  ad- 
vice  of  your  friends.  Shrink  not  from  the  cross  of 
Christ,  in  your  garb,  language,  or  manners,  but 
through  a  subjection  of  your  wills  to  the  Divine  will; 
in  these,  and  all  other  respects,  walk  answerably  to 
the  purity  of  our  profession  and  the  simplicity  and 
spirituality  of  our  worship;  so  may  you  be  instruc- 
tive examples  to  serious  inquirers  after  truth;  and 
not  of  those,  who  under  a  profession  thereof,  are 


PARENTS    AND    CHILDREN.  69 

preferring  their  own  evil  ways,  and  turning  others 
aside  from  the  footsteps  of  its  followers. 

And  when  the  pious  exercise  of  parental  care  and 
authority  is  disregarded,  and  any  of  our  youth  de- 
parting from  that  simplicity  corresponding  with  our 
profession,  have  obstinately  run  into,  and  copied 
after  the  vain  and  extravagant  fashions  of  the  world, 
in  their  dress  and  address,  and  have  also  exposed 
themselves  to  the  corrupting  influence  of  evil  con> 
pany,  and  a  consequent  irregularity  of  conduct,  such 
ought  to  be  timely  and  tenderly  expostulaied  with, 
to  convince  them  of  the  dangerous  tendency  of  their 
conduct;  and  if  they  cannot  be  prevailed  on  to 
amend  their  ways,  they  ought  to  be  treated  with  by 
their  respective  Preparative  or  Monthly  Meetings, 
as  in  other  cases  of  offence;  and  if,  after  due  labor 
and  forbearance,  they  prove  irreclaimable,  they 
should  be  testified  against. 

And  if  any  parents  in  membership  with  us,  wil- 
lingly indulge  their  children,  or  youth  under  their 
care,  in  such  extravagance  and  excess  as  are  here 
pointed  out,  and  persist  in  vindicating  their  conduct, 
they  ought  in  like  manner  to  be  treated  with  and 
disowned.  It  is  the  desire  of  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
that  Friends  may  bring  up  the  youth  under  their 
care  to  habits  of  industry,  placing  them  with  sober 
and  exemplary  members  of  the  society  for  instruc- 
tion, in  such  occupations  as  are  consistent  w^ith  our 
religious  principles  and  testimonies;  so  that  as  far  as 
in  us  lies,  they  may  be  preserved  in  a  becoming 
conduct  and  demeanor.  Also,  that  those  whose 
circumstances  may  furnish  them  with  ability  for 
instructing  in  useful  and  suitable  employments,  the 
children  of  members  who  are  in  situations  less 
affluent,  may  receive  them  into  their  families  upon 
terms  so  moderate  and  equitable  as  to  remove  every 
plausible  reason  for  placing  them  with  those  not  in 
membership  with  us. 


70  PLAINNESS    IN    DRESS    AND   ADDRESS. 

PLAINNESS  IN  DRESS  AND  ADDRESS. 

Upon  the  first  of  these  subjects,  our  principle  is, 
to  let  decency,  simplicity,  and  utility,  be  our  prin- 
cipal motives,  and  not  to  conform  to  the  vain  and 
changeable  fashions  of  the  world,  though  we  may 
occasionally  adopt  alterations  which  appear  conve- 
nient or  useful.  This  is  a  principle,  the  propriety 
of  which  we  apprehend  no  serious  christian  will 
deny;  and  whilst  in  ages  of  pride  and  extravagance 
in  dress,  the  adoption  of  this  rule  may  make  us 
appear  singular;  yet,  in  relation  to  us,  this  singu- 
larity is  not  without  its  use.  It  is  in  some  respects 
like  a  hedge  about  us;  which,  though  it  does  not 
make  the  ground  it  encloses  rich  and  fruitful,  yet  it 
frequently  prevents  those  intrusions,  by  which  the 
labor  of  the  husbandman  is  injured  or  destroyed. 

The  conduct  which  our  society  has  adopted  in 
this  respect,  is  supported  by  many  passages  in  holy 
writ.  "Be  not  conformed  to  this  world;  but  be  ye 
transformed  by  the  renewing  of  your  mind,"  was 
the  advice  of  the  apostle  to  the  christians  who  dwelt 
at  the  seat  of  Roman  grandeur  and  luxury.  And 
again,  in  relation  to  the  female  sex,  "I  will,"  says 
he,  "  that  women  adorn  themselves  in  modest  ap- 
"  parel,  with  shamefacedness  and  sobriety ;  not 
"  with  broidered  hair,  or  gold,  or  pearls,  or  costly 
"array;  but  which  becometh  women  professing 
"godliness,  with  good  works;"  plainly  showing  that 
such  adorn ings  are  contrary  to  the  profession  of 
godliness.  The  apostle  Peter  also  is  very  full  in 
his  exhortations  upon  this  subject:  "Whose  adorn- 


PLAINNESS    IN    DRESS    AND    ADDRESS.  71 

ing,"  saith  he,  let  it  not  be  that  outward  adorning  of 
plaiting  the  hair,  and  of  wearing  of  gold,  or  putting 
on  of  apparel ;  but  let  it  be  the  hidden  man  of  the 
heart  in  that  which  is  not  corruptible,  even  the  orna. 
ment  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  which  is  in  the  sight 
of  God  of  great  price;  for  after  this  manner  in  old 
time,  the  holy  women  also,  who  trusted  in  God, 
placed  not  their  delight  in  such  outward  decorations. 

It  is,  however,  highly  important  to  us,  to  maintain 
more  than  the  form  of  godliness,  and  whilst  we 
avoid  a  conformity  to  this  world,  to  be  careful  to 
seek  after  that  divine  power  which  will  enable  us  to 
fulfil  the  other  part  of  the  exhortation:  "Be  ye  trans- 
formed by  the  renewing  of  your  mind,  that  ye  may 
prove  what  is  that  good,  and  acceptable,  and  perfect 
will  of  God."  Thus,  having  our  minds  and  conduct 
rightly  regulated,  we  shall  fulfill  another  important 
apostolic  injunction:  "Let  not  your  good  be  evil 
spoken  of."  . 

In  our  address  also,  we  are  bound  to  differ  from 
the  world  in  several  respects;  such  as  our  using  the 
singular  number  in  speaking  to  a  single  person;  our 
disuse  of  the  appellation  of  Master,  Mistress,  &c.  in 
a  complimentary  manner,  to  those  who  do  not  stand 
in  these  relations  to  us;  and  our  calling  the  months 
and  days  of  the  week  by  their  numerical  names 
instead  of  those  which  are  derived  from  the  heathen 
deities,  &c.  From  these,  and  other  erroneous  and 
corrupt  practices,  the  spirit  of  truth,  in  which  we 
profess  to  believe,  as  guiding  into  all  truth,  led  our 
predecessors  in  religious  profession,  and  we  believe. 


72  PLAINNESS    IN    DRESS    AND    ADDRESS. 

Still  leads  us  as  we  follow  it.  Our  conduct  in  these 
respects  is  supported  by  the  practices  mentioned  in 
holy  writ,  as  well  as  by  the  simplicity  and  reason- 
ableness of  it. 

The  origin  of  applying  the  plural  number  to  an 
individual,  and  of  complimentary  titles  to  one  ano- 
ther, is  to  be  traced  to  vanity  and  pride.  Besides 
this  consideration,  our  practice  of  using  the  singular 
number  to  a  single  person,  is  both  more  correct  and 
more  conspicuous,  to  say  nothing  of  its  consistency 
with  that  form  of  sound  words  recommended  by 
Paul  to  Timothy.  This  is  also  the  case  with  re- 
spect to  our  names  of  days  and  months;  nevertheless 
it  is  not  by  reason  and  propriety  alone,  that  our 
conduct  in  these  things  may  be  supported.  Reli- 
gion, if  an  attention  to  the  practice  and  precepts 
recorded  in  the  scriptures,  has  a  claim  to  that  name^ 
also  justifies  our  conduct.  It  was  no  doubt  in  allu- 
sion to  the  complimentary,  and  not  to  the  proper 
use  of  the  appellations  of  Rabbi,  Father,  and  Mas- 
ter, that  our  Lord  prohibited  the  practice  amongst 
his  followers.  Speaking  of  the  disposition  of  the 
Scribes  and  Pharisees,  he  says,  "they  love  the  upper- 
"  most  rooms  at  feasts,  and  the  chief  seats  in  the 
"synagogues,  and  greetings  in  the  markets;  and  to 
"be  called  of  men  Rabbi,  Rabbi:  but  be  not  ye 
"  called  of  men  Rabbi,  for  one  is  your  master  even 
"Christ,  and  all  ye  are  brethren:  and  call  no  man 
"  your  father  upon  the  earth;  for  one  is  your  father, 
"  which  is  in  heaven:  neither  be  ye  called  masters; 
"  for  one  is  your  master,  even  Christ."  The  following 


PLAINNESS    IN   DRESS   AND   ADDRESS.  73 

expressions  of  Elihu,  a  pious  young  man,  mentioned 
in  the  book  of  Job,  are  also  applicable:  "Let  me 
"not,  I  pray  you,  accept  any  man's  person;  neither 
"  let  me  give  flattering  titles  unto  man:  for  I  know 
"not  to  give  flattering  titles, in  so  doing  my  maker 
"  would  soon  take  me  away." 

Also,  to  give  the  names  of  heathen  deities,  &c.  to 
days  and  months,  we  apprehend  is  not  only  inconsis- 
tent with  the  "form  of  sound  words,"  just  mentioned; 
but  is  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  the  injunction  given  to 
the  Israelites,  as  a  preservative  from  contaminating 
themselves  with  idolatry.  "  In  all  things  that  I  have 
"  said  unto  you,  be  circumspect;  and  make  no  men- 
"tion  of  the  name  of  other  gods;  neither  let  it  be 
"  heard  out  of  thy  mouth."  When  the  reformation 
of  the  Jews  was  foretold  by  the  prophets,  these 
amongst  other  things  were  stated  as  a  part:  "I  will 
"  take  the  names  of  Balim  out  of  her  mouth:  I  will 
"  turn  to  the  people  a  pure  language;  and  I  will  cut 
"  oflfthe  names  of  the  Idols  out  of  the  land,  and  they 
"  shall  no  more  be  remembered." 

From  religious  scruples  also,  we  cannot  bow  the 
body  and  take  off"  the  hat  in  order  to  express  our 
respect  to  man.  The  reason  for  this  is,  that  it  is  a 
token  of  reverence  enjoined  and  used  in  our  solemn 
approaches  to  the  Supreme  Being,  when  exercising 
the  religious  duties  of  preaching  or  prayer.  On  this 
account,  and  not  from  any  disrespect,  we  think  it 
right  not  to  confound  this  solemn  act  of  reverence 
to  the  Almighty,  with  the  marks  of  respect  to  our 

■1 


74  POOR. 

fellow-creatures.  True  civility,  and  due  respect, 
may  be  better  shown  by  conduct  than  by  compli- 
ment; and  we  are  far  from  desiring  to  dismiss  those 
social  duties  from  our  attention  and  regard  in  our 
salutations. 

We  therefore  tenderly  exhort  all,  seriously  to 
consider  the  plainness  and  simplicity  which  the  gos- 
pel enjoins,  and  to  manifest  it  in  their  habit,  speech 
and  deportment.  A  declension  herein,  we  fear,  is 
attended  with  hurtful  consequences,  in  opening  the 
way  of  some  of  our  youth  more  easily  and  unob- 
servedly,  to  attend  places  of  public  resort,  for  the 
exercise  of  sports,  plays,  and  other  pernicious  diver- 
sions, from  which  truth  taught  our  ancestors,  and 
still  teaches  us,  to  refrain. 

We  also  tenderly  advise,  that  Friends  take  heed, 
especially  those  who  should  be  exemplary  to  those 
under  their  care,  that  they  exercise  plainness  of 
speech,  without  respect  of  persons,  in  all  their  con- 
verse among  men;  and  not  balk  their  testimony  by 
a  cowardly  compliance,  varying  their  language  ac- 
cording to  their  company;  a  practice  of  very  ill 
example,  rendering  those  who  use  it  contemptible, 
and  to  be  looked  upon  as  as  a  kind  of  hypocrites, 
even  by  those  with  whom  they  so  comply.  This 
seems  to  be  cautioned  against  by  the  apostle,  when 
he  advises  Timothy  "  That  the  deacons  be  grave, 
and  not  double-tongued;"  plainly  importing,  that  it 
is  inconsistent  with  the  gravity  of  the  gospel. 
POOR. 

As  mercy,  compassion  and  charity,  are  eminently 


priest's  wages,  or  hireling  ministry.         75 

required  by  the  Gospel,  it  is  the  desire  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  that  the  cases  of  our  members  who  are  in 
indigent  circumstances  be  duly  inspected,  in  order 
that  advice  and  relief  may  be  seasonably  extended 
and  assistance  afforded  them,  in  such  business  as 
they  are  capable  of.  To  defray  the  expenses  which 
their  support  and  the  education  of  their  children  will 
necessarily  occasion,  it  is  recommended  to  each 
Monthly  or  Preparative  Meeting  of  men  and  women 
Friends,  to  be  open-hearted,  and  liberal  in  subscrip- 
tions, for  raising  and  continuing  funds  for  those  pur- 
poses. And  in  the  exercise  of  this  benevolent  care, 
it  is  desired  that  we  may  always  guard  against  un- 
necessarily exposing  the  names  or  situation  of  our 
fellow-members.  Such  also,  who  need  pecuniary 
aid,  ought  to  accept  the  deliberate  advice  of  their 
friends,  and  manifest  a  becoming  disposition  to  con- 
form to  their  solid  judgment;  remembering,  that  it 
is  said,  "in  the  multitude  of  counsellors  there  is 
safety."     Prov.  xi.  14. 

Where  there  is  an  obstinate  refusal  to  conform  to 
such  advice,  committees  are  to  be  governed  in  the 
distribution  of  the  intended  liberality,  by  a  prudent 
discretion. 

Women's  Monthly  Meetings  are  to  inspect  and 
relieve  the  wants  of  the  poor  of  their  own  sex;  and 
where  their  own  funds  are  insufficient,  they  are  to 
apply  to  the  men's  meeting  for  their  aid  and  for  their 
concurrence,  as  cases  shall  require. 

PRIEST'S  WAGES,  OR  HIRELING  MINISTRY. 
Let  us  keep  in  remembrance  this  fundamental 
principle  of  our  profession,  that  it  is  under  the  im- 
mediate teaching  and  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
that  all  acceptable  worship  is  performed,  and  all 
gospel  ministry  supplied;  that  this  pure  and  power- 
ful influence,  in  vessels  sanctified  and  prepared  by 
the  Divine  hand,  is  the  essential  qualification  to  that 


78  QUERIES. 

work.  The  gift  therefore  being  divine,  the  service 
is  freely  and  faithfully  to  be  discharged,  without  any 
view  to  reward  from  man,  agreeably  to  the  express 
command  of  Christ,  our  head  and  high-priest; "freely 
ye  have  received,  freely  give."     Matt.  x.  8. 

And  where  any  of  our  members,  are  so  regard- 
less of  this  testimony,  as  to  contribute  to  the  support 
of  an  hireling  ministry,  and  vindicate  such  conduct, 
they  ought  to  be  tenderly  labored  with,  to  convince 
them  of  their  error;  but  if  this  prove  ineffectual,  and 
they  persist  in  their  unfaithfulness,  the  Monthly 
Meetings  to  which  they  belong,  should  proceed  to 
declare  our  disunity  with  them,  such  conduct  being 
opposed  to  our  testimony  for  the  free  ministry  of 
the  gospel,  which  is,  "without  money  and  without 
price." 

QUERIES. 

[n  order  that  the  Yearly  Meeting  may  be  clearly 
informed  of  the  state  of  society,  the  following  Que- 
ries are  directed  to  the  subordinate  meetings:  and  in 
desiring  answers  to  them,  the  design  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting  is,  not  only  to  be  informed  of  the  due  ob- 
servance of  the  several  branches  of  our  christian 
testimony;  but  ulso,  to  impress  on  the  minds  of  our 
members,  a  profitable  individual  examination  of 
themselves  how  far  they  act  consistently  with  their 
religious  profession;  and  also  to  excite  elders,  over- 
seers, and  other  concerned  Friends,  to  discharge 
their  duty  faithfully,  in  administering  counsel  and 
admonition  when  necessary. 

It  is  concluded  that  the  following  nine  queries  be 
read,  deliberately  considered,  and  answered  in  each 
Preparative  and  Monthly  Meeting,  once  in  the  year, 
in  order  to  convey  an  explicit  account  in  writing  to 
the  Quarterly  Meetings  next  preceding  the  Yearly 
Meeting;  and  from  thence  an  account  is  to  bo  for- 
warded to__the  Yearly  Meeting. 


QUERIES.  77 

Also,  that  the  first,  second,  and  ninth  of  those 
queries  be  read,  and  considered,  and  explicit  written 
answers  be  prepared  for  them  in  the  two  Quarterly 
Meetings  preceding  the  one  before  mentioned,  and 
also  the  Preparative  and  Monthly  Meetings  which 
report  thereto.  But  none  of  the  queries  are  to  be 
read,  ov  answered,  in  those  Quarterly  Meetings  for 
Discipline  which  immediately  succeed  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  nor  in  the  Preparative  or  Monthly  Meet- 
ings which  report  to  those  Quarters. 

And  further,  it  is  not  obligatory  on  meetings  to 
read  any  other  of  the  queries  than  such  as  are  to  be 
answered:  nor  is  the  reading  and  answering  of  them 
enjoined  on  any  Preparative  Meeting,  where  the 
members  of  that  and  the  Monthly  Meetings  are  the 
same. 

First  Query. — Are  all  meetings  for  worship  and 
discipline  attended?  Do  Friends  avoid  unbecoming 
behaviour  therein?  And  is  the  hour  of  meeting  ob- 
served? 

Second. — Do  Friends  maintain  love  towards  each 
other,  as  becomes  our  christian  profession?  Are 
tale-bearing  and  detraction  discouraged?  And  when 
differences  arise,  are  endeavors  used  speedily  to  end 
them? 

Third. — Do  Friends  endeavor,  by  example  and 
precept,  to  educate  their  children,  and  those  under 
their  care,  in  plainness  of  speech,  deportment,  and 
apparel  ?  Do  they  guard  them  against  reading  per- 
nicious books;  and  from  the  corrupt  conversation  of 
the  world?  And  are  they  encouraged  frequently  to 
read  the  holy  scriptures? 

Fourth. — Are  Friends  clear  of  importing,  vend- 
ing, distilling,  or  the  unnecessary  use  of  spirituous 
liquors;  of  frequenting  taverns,  or  attending  places 
of  diversion?  And  do  they  observe  moderation  and 
temperance  on  all  occasions? 

Fifth. — Are  the  necessities  of  the  poor,  and  the 
7* 


78  ANNUAL    QUERIES. 

circumstances  of  those  who  nmy  appear  likely  to 
require  aid,  inspected  and  relieved?  Are  they  ad- 
vised and  assisted  in  such  employments  as  they  are 
capable  of;  and  is  due  care  taken  to  promote  the 
school-education  of  their  children? 

Sixth. — Do  Friends  maintain  a  faithful  testimony 
against  a  hireling  ministry,  oaths,  military  services, 
clandestine  trade,  prize-goods,  and  lotteries? 

Seventh. — Are  friends  careful  to  live  within  the 
bounds  of  their  circumstances,  and  to  avoid  invol- 
ving themselves  in  business  beyond  their  ability  to 
manage?  Are  they  just  in  their  dealings,  and  punc- 
tual in  complying  with  their  engagements?  And 
where  any  give  reasonable  grounds  for  fear  in  these 
respects,  is  due  care  extended  to  them? 

Eighth. — Are  Friends  careful  to  bear  a  testimony 
against  slavery?  Do  they  provide  in  a  suitable  man- 
ner, for  those  under  their  direction,  who  have  had 
their  freedom  secured;  and  are  they  instructed  in 
useful  learning? 

Ninth. — Is  care  taken  to  deal  with  offenders  sea- 
sonably and  impartially,  and  to  endeavor  to  evince 
to  those  who  will  not  be  reclaimed,  the  spirit  of 
meekness  and  love,  before  judgment  is  placed  upon 
them? 

It  is  also  required  that  the  following  queries  be 
read  and  answered  once  in  the  year,  in  each 
Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  a  written 
report  thereof  forwarded  to  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
by  the  respective  Quarters. 

ANNUAL  QUERIES. 

First  Query. — What  new  meeting  settled? 

Second  Query. — ^Are  schools  encouraged  for  the 
education  of  our  youth,  under  the  tuition  of  teachers 
in  membership  with  us;  and  is  each  family  of  Friends 
furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  Holy  Scriptures? 


GENERAL    ADVICES.  79 

Third  Query. — Are  the  queries  addressed  to  the 
Quarterly,  Monthly,  and  Preparative  Meetings  read 
and  answered  therein,  as  directed? 

GENERAL  ADVICES. 

It  is  further  directed,  that  in  the  Preparative  and 
Monthly  Meetings,  in  which  all  the  foregoing  queries 
are  read  and  answered,  the  following  advices  may 
also  be  read,  with  a  suitable  pause  between  them, 
as  a  mean  of  exciting  those  present  to  a  considera- 
tion, whether  there  is  any  occasion  for  an  extension 
of  care  in  these  respects,  in  relation  either  to  them- 
selves or  others. 

FRIENDS  ARE  ADVISED 

To  observe  due  moderation  in  the  furniture  of 
their  houses,  and  to  avoid  superfluity  in  their  man- 
ner of  living. 

To  attend  to  the  limitations  of  truth  in  their  tem- 
poral business. 

To  be  careful  to  place  their  children  amongst 
Friends;  preferring  those  whose  care  and  example 
will  be  most  likely  to  conduce  to  their  preservation. 

To  inspect  the  state  of  their  temporal  aflairs  once 
in  the  year,  and  make  their  wills  whilst  in  health. 

To  apply  for  certificates,  when  about  to  remove, 
and  to  pay  proper  attention  to  those  coming  from 
other  places,  who  appear  as  Friends,  without  pro- 
ducing certificates. 

And  it  is  advised,  that  when  occasions  of  uneasi- 
ness appear  in  any,  such  may  be  treated  with  in 
privacy,  and  with  tenderness,  before  the  matter  be 
communicated  to  another;  thus,  the  hands  of  those 
concerned  in  the  further  exercise  of  the  discipline, 
^ill  not  be  weakened  by  a  consciousness  on  their 
part,  of  a  departure  from  the  true  order  of  the  gospel. 

It  is  further  recommended  that  all  our  meetings 


80  QUERIES  FOR  MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS. 

for  business  be  kept  select,  and  that  Friends  endea- 
vor to  manage  the  affairs  of  society  in  the  spirit  of 
meekness  and  wisdom,  with  decency,  forbearance, 
and  love  to  each  other;  laboring  to  maintain  the 
"unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace." 

QUERIES  FOR  MEETINGS  OF  MINISTERS  AND 
ELDERS. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  requires,  that  of  the  follow- 
ing four  queries,  formed  for  the  use  of  the  Meetings 
of  Ministers  and  Elders,  the  first  three  be  read  and 
distinctly  answered  in  writing,  three  times  in  the 
year,  by  each  Preparative  Meeting  of  that  kind,  to 
its  respective  Quarterly  Meeting:  and  that  all  the 
said  four  queries  shall  be  in  like  manner  read  and 
answered,  by  the  Preparative  to  their  Quarterly 
Meetings,  next  preceding  the  Yearly  Meeting  of 
Ministers  and  Elders;  in  order  that  the  Quarterly 
Meetings  may  be  enabled  to  transmit  a  clear  and 
distinct  statement  of  those  answers  to  that  meeting. 

QUERIES  FOR  MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS. 

I.  Are  ministers  and  elders  diligent  in  the  atten- 
dance of  Meetings  for  Worship  and  Discipline;  and 
concerned  to  encourage  their  families  to  that  reli- 
gious duty? 

II.  Are  ministers,  in  the  exercise  of  their  gifts, 
careful  to  wait  for  divine  ability?  and  are  they 
sound  in  word  and  doctrine? 

III.  Are  ministers  and  elders  in  unity  one  with 
another, and  with  the  meetings  to  which  they  belong? 
manifesting  a  religious  concern  for  the  advancement 
of  truth,  and  the  support  of  our  discipline? 

IV.  Are  ministers  and  elders  good  examples  in 
uprightness,  temperance,  and  moderation,  and  care- 
ful to  train  up  their  families  in  plainness  of  dress, 
and  simplicity  of  manners,  becoming  our  religious 
profession? 


ADVICES  TO  MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS. SCHOOLS.      81 

ADVICES  TO  MINISTERS  AND  ELDERS. 

It  is  also  desired  that  the  following  advices  be 
deliberately  read  in  each  subordinate  Select  Meet- 
ing, at  least  once  in  the  year: 

Let  all,  in  their  testimonies,  be  cautious  of  using 
unnecessary  preambles,  and  of  asserting  too  posi- 
tively a  divine  impulse;  the  baptizing  power  of  truth 
accompanying  their  w^ords,  being  the  true  evidence. 

Let  all  read  the  holy  scriptures  frequently,  and 
be  careful  neither  to  misquote  nor  misapply  them. 

Let  ministers  be  careful  how  they  enter  upon  dis- 
puted points  in  their  testimony;  or  of  making  such 
objections  as  they  do  not  clearly  answer. 

Let  all  be  cautious  of  interrupting  the  solemnity 
of  meetings,  by  unnecessary  additions  towards  the 
conclusion. 

Let  all  be  careful  not  to  hurt  their  service  by 
tones,  avoiding  all  afiectation,  and  those  gestures 
which  do  not  comport  with  christian  gravity. 

And  lastly,  let  all  dwell  in  that  which  gives  ability 
to  labor  successfully  in  the  church  of  Christ,  adorn- 
ing the  doctrine  they  deliver  to  others,  being  ex- 
amples of  the  believers,  in  word,  in  conversation,  in 
charity,  in  spirit,  in  faith,  and  in  purity. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  very  important  subject  of  the  education  of 
our  youth,  in  piety  and  virtue,  and  giving  them  use- 
ful learning,  under  the  tuition  of  religious,  prudent 
persons;  having  for  many  years  engaged  the  atten- 
tion of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  advices  having, 
from  time  to  time  been  issued  thereon,  to  the  several 
subordinate  meetings,  it  is  renewedly  desired,  that 
Quarterly,  Monthly,  and  Preparative  Meetings,  may 
be  excited  to  proper  exertions  for  the  establishment 
and  support  of  schools;  there  being  but  little  doubt, 
that  as  Friends  are  united,  and  cherish  a  disposition 
of  liberality  for  the  assistance  of  each  other  in  this 


82  SCRIPTURES. 

interesting  work,  they  will  be  enabled  to  make  such 
provision,  as  would  encourage  well  qualified  persons 
to  engage  in  this  arduous  employment:  for  want  of 
which,  it  has  been  observed,  that  children  have  been 
committed  to  the  care  of  transient  persons,  of  doubt- 
ful character,  and  sometimes  of  corrupt  minds;  by 
whose  example  and  influence,  they  have  been  be- 
trayed into  principles  and  habits  which  have  had  an 
injurious  effect  on  them,  in  more  advanced  life. 

It  is  therefore  indispensably  incumbent  on  us,  to 
guard  against  this  danger,  and  procure  such  tutors 
of  our  own  religious  persuasion,  as  are  not  only  ca- 
pable of  instructing  them  in  useful  learning,  to  fit 
them  for  business  in  relation  to  temporal  concerns; 
but  to  train  them  up  in  the  knowledge  of  their  duty 
to  God,  and  one  towards  another. 

SCRIPTURES  OF  THE  OLD  AND  NEW  TESTAMENTS. 

The  holy  scriptures,  being  the  external  means  of 
preserving  and  conveying  to  us,  an  account  of  the 
things  most  surely  to  be  believed,  concerning  the 
coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  the  flesh,  and 
the  fulfilling  of  the  promises  relating  thereto,  it  is 
the  earnest  concern  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  to  press 
upon  Friends  of  all  ranks,  a  diligent  acquaintance 
with  the  sacred  records;  and  that  parents  and  heads 
of  families,  would,  both  by  example  and  advice,  im- 
press upon  the  susceptible  and  retentive  minds  of 
the  youth,  a  reverent  esteem  for  the  doctrines  and 
precepts  of  the  christian  religion,  contained  therein: 
inducing  them  to  believe,  that  the  same  experience 
of  the  work  of  sanctification,  through  the  operation 
of  the  spirit  of  God,  to  which  the  holy  scriptures 
abundantly  bear  testimony,  is  to  be  witnessed  by 


STOCK. TAVERNS.  83 

believers  in  all  generations,  as  well  as  by  those  in 
the  first  ages  of  Christianity.  Our  dear  youth,  thus 
educated  in  the  belief  of  these  important  truths,  as 
well  as  of  the  inward  manifestation  and  operation  of 
the  Spirit  of  God,  may  be  prepared  to  receive  his 
spiritual  appearance  in  their  hearts,  according  to  our 
holy  profession. 

STOCK. 

A  stock  having  by  experience  been  found  useful 
for  the  occasions  of  the  society,  and  particularly  in 
the  application  from  time  to  time  made  by  our 
Meeting  for  Sufferings,  it  is  desired  by  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  that  the  same  be  occasionally  renewed  by 
a  collection  from  each  Quarter;  and  that  it  be  con- 
tinued in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer,  appointed  by 
the  meeting,  and  be  subject  to  be  drawn  out  by  its 
direction,  or  by  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  as  the 
exigencies  of  society  may  require. 

The  sums  which  may  be  thought  necessarv,  are 
to  be  raised  by  each  Quarter,  in  the  proportions 
which  may  from  time  to  time,  be  ascertained  by  the 
Yearly  Meeting. 

Women's  meetings  are  also  to  have  a  stock  of 
their  own  for  such  services  as  may  fall  more  pro- 
perly under  their  notice. 

TAVERNS. 

It  is  the  concern  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  to  cau- 
tion not  only  the  youth  but  those  of  riper  age,  to 
avoid  the  unnecessary  frequenting  of  taverns,  and 
other  places  of  public  resort,  in  order  that  they  may 
not  be  exposed  to  evil  company,  and  unprofitable 
conversation,  or  be  betrayed  into  the  use  of  strong 
liquors,  by  which  many  have  been  corrupted,  both 


84      TESTIMONIES  OF  DENIAL  AND  ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 

in  principle  and  practice,  to  the  ruin  of  themselves 
and  their  families.  And  if  any  be  in  danger  on  these 
accounts,  it  is  desired  that  they  may  be  timely  and 
tenderly  treated  with,  in  order  to  convince  them 
thereof. 

Considering  the  snares  and  temptations  to  which 
those  are  exposed,  who  keep  houses  of  entertain' 
ment,  and  the  corrupting  influence  of  many  who 
resort  to  them,  it  is  the  desire  of  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, that  our  members  may  avoid  engaging  in  such 
employments  for  a  livelihood,  and  attend  to  the 
pointings  of  pure  wisdom  for  that  end. 

And  it  is  also  desired,  that  Friends  may  endeavor, 
as  far  as  their  influence  extends  in  the  community, 
to  prevent  the  unnecessary  increase  of  taverns,  and 
to  be  cautious  of  signing  petitions  in  behalf  of  those 
who  may  apply  for  licenses  on  that  account. 

TESTIMONIES  OF  DENIAL  AND  ACKNOWLEDG- 
MENTS. 

It  is  the  judgment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that 
offenders,  whether  under  dealing,  or  disowned,  who 
incline  to  make  acknowledgment  of  their  oftences, 
shall  prepare  the  same  in  writing;  which  ought  to 
be  shown,  if  under  dealing,  to  the  committee  ap- 
pointed in  their  case;  or  if  disowned,  to  the  over- 
seers. And  if  the  purport  is  judged  to  be  suitable 
to  the  occasion,  the  party  may  present  it  to  the 
Monthly  Meeting,  and  stay  till  it  is  read:  and  after 
time  given  for  a  solid  pause,  should  withdraw,  be- 
fore either  that,  or  any  other  business,  is  proceeded 
upon.  The  meeting  is  then  to  consider  the  case, 
and  appoint  two  or  more  Friends  to  inform  the  party 
of  the  result. 


TESTIMONIES  OF  DENIAL  AND  ACKNOWLEDGMENT.      85 

In  all  cases,  those  who  are  under  dealing  for  of- 
fences, and  who  offer  acknowledgments  to  Monthly 
Meetmgs  previous  to  disownment,  ought  to  particu- 
larize in  such  offerings,  the  matter  or  matters  charged 
upon  them. 

And  in  relation  to  acknowledgments,  from  those 
who  have  been  disowned;  the  ground  upon  which 
they  ought  to  be  accepted  being  a  belief  on  the  part 
of  Monthly  Meetings  of  their  sincerity  and  contri- 
tion; when  this  is  apparent,  it  is  not  expedient  to 
obhge  such  to  recite  the  particular  misconduct  with 
which  they  have  been  charged,  and  which  has  been 
specified  in  testimonies  of  denial  against  them. 

When  females  become  delinquents  or  violate  the 
rules  of  our  discipline,  women  Friends  are  to  exer- 
cise a  proper  care,  in  the  case,  according  to  the 
general  order  of  the  society,  until  their  Monthly 
Meeting  becomes  satisfied  that  the  offenders  should 
be  disowned;  the  men's  meeting  should  then  be  in- 
formed of  the  case,  and  if  that  meeting  unite  in 
judgment  with  the  women  Friends,  a  minute  thereof 
should  be  formed,  and  a  committee  appointed  to 
prepare  a  testimony  of  disownment;  the  women 
Friends  taking  care  to  inform  the  party  thereof. 
When  the  testimony  of  disownment  is  prepared, 
and  approved  by  the  men's  meeting,  it  should  be 
sent  to  the  women's  meeting  for  their  concurrence 
and  care  in  delivering  it  to  the  party. 

But  should  the  men,  on  considering  the  case,  as 
reported  from  the  women's  meeting,  not  be  easy  to 
issue  a  testimony  against  the  offender,  without 
appointing  a  committee  to  visit  her,  they  may  be  at 
liberty  to  appoint  a  few  judicious  Friends,  to  unite 
with  a  committee  of  women  Friends,  to  take  further 
opportunities  with  the  delinquent;  the  report  of 
which  joint  committee  is  to  be  presented  to  the 
women's  meeting,  and,  with  their  sense   thereon, 

8  e;:„.: 


86  TRADE. 

conveyed  to  the  men's  meeting,  where  the  case  is 
to  be  considered  and  finally  settled. 

When  a  disowned  person  removes  without  the 
verge  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  which  he  or  she 
has  been  a  member,  and  becomes  concerned  to  be 
again  united  to  the  society,  such  person  may  make 
application  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  within  the  com- 
pass of  which  he  or  she  resides,  giving  information 
of  their  disownment,  and  by  what  Monthly  Meeting: 
the  particular  occasion  of  disownment  such  Monthly 
Meeting  is  not  enjoined  to  require.  But  if  upon 
noticing  the  application,  the  Monthly  Meeting  be- 
lieves in  the  sincerity  of  such  individual,  and  finds 
nothing  to  prevent  amongst  them,  inquiry  must  be 
made  of  the  Monthly  Meeting,  by  which  the  appli- 
cant has  been  disowned  (provided  such  Monthly 
Meeting  exist)  concerning  its  consent  to  their  re- 
ception of  such  person,  and  after  information  there- 
from, that  nothing  appears  to  obstruct,  such  appli- 
cant may  be  by  them  received. 

In  all  cases  when  a  Monthly  Meeting  apprehends 
itself  under  a  necessity  to  disown  a  member,  it  is 
the  desire  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that  such  member, 
if  his  or  her  situation  will  admit  of  it,  be  previously 
informed  thereof;  and  when  a  testimony  of  disown- 
ment is  issued  against  such  individual,  a  copy  there- 
of should  be  retained  on  the  minutes  of  the  Monthly 
Meeting,  and  one  offered  to  the  party  testified 
against,  with  a  notification  of  his  or  her  right  of 
appeal. 

TRADE. 

It  being  evident,  that  where  the  manifestations 
and  restraints  of  the  spirit  of  truth  are  duly  prized 
and  regarded,  it  leads  out  of  a  bondage  to  the  spirit 
of  this  w^orld,  and  preserves  the  minds  of  its  follow- 
ers from  many  fettering  and  disqualifying  entangle- 


TRADE.  87 

ments:  and  contrary  wise,  that  an  inordinate  love 
and  pursuit  of  worldly  riches,  often  betrays  those 
who  are  captivated  by  them,  into  many  difficulties 
and  dangers,  to  the  great  obstruction  of  the  work  of 
truth  in  the  heart:  w-e  affectionately  desire  that  the 
counsel  and  gracious  promise  of  our  blessed  Re- 
deemer to  his  followers,  may  be  borne  in  remem- 
brance by  us,  "Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God, 
"  and  his  righteousness,  and  all  these  shall  be  added 
"  unto  you," 

The  Yearly  Meeting  being  earnestly  concerned 
that  the  service  of  our  religious  society  may  not  be 
obstructed,  or  its  reputation  dishonored, '  by  any 
imprudence  of  its  members  in  their  worldly  engage- 
ments, recommends  to  all,  that  they  be  careful  not 
to  venture  upon  business  they  do  not  understand; 
nor  to  launch  into  trade  beyond  their  abilities,  and 
at  the  risk  of  others:  but  that  they  bound  their 
engagements  by  their  means:  and  when  they  enter 
into  contracts,  or  agreements,  whether  written  or 
by  words,  that  they  endeavor  on  all  occasions 
strictly  to  fulfil  them,  that  no  occasions  of  reproach 
may  be  given  to  truth,  and  the  society. 

We  particularly  exhort,  that  none  engage  in  any 
such  concerns  as  depend  on  the  deceptive  probabili- 
ties of  hazardous  enterprizes;  but  rather  content 
themselves  with  such  a  plain  and  moderate  way  of 
living,  as  is  consistent  with  the  self-denying  princi- 
ple of  which  we  make  profession,  whereby  many 
disappointments  and  grievous  perplexities  may  be 


88  TRADE. 

avoided,  and  that  tranquility  of  mind  obtained  which 
is  inseparable  from  the  right  enjoyment,  even  of 
temporal  things.  And  it  is  advised,  that,  when  any 
amongst  us  err,  or  are  in  danger  of  erring,  in  these 
respects,  they  be  faithfully  and  timely  admonished. 

It  is  further  recommended,  that  Friends  frequently 
inspect  the  state  of  their  affairs,  and  keep  their  ac- 
counts so  clear  and  accurate,  that  they  may,  at  any 
time  easily  know  whether  they  live  within  the  bounds 
of  their  circumstances  or  not;  and,  in  cases  of  death, 
that  these  may  not  be  perplexing  to  survivors.  And 
whenever  any  find  that  they  have  no  more  property 
left  than  is  sufficient  to  discharge  their  just  debts,  it 
is  advised  that  they  immediately  consult  with  some 
judicious  Friends,  and,  without  loss  of  time,  make 
their  circumstances  known  to  their  creditors,  care- 
fully avoiding  the  payment  of  one  in  preference  to 
another,  that  so  none  may  be  injured,  nor  any  re- 
proach incurred  by  mismanagement. 

And  where  overseers,  or  other  concerned  Friends, 
have  reason  to  fear  that  any  person  or  family,  by 
living  above  their  means,  or  from  a  want  of  punc- 
tuality in  fulfilling  their  contracts,  or  any  other  cause, 
are  declining  in  their  circumstances,  and  likely  to 
fail,  it  is  recommended  that  such  be  seasonably 
treated  wnth,  and,  (if  it  appear  requisite)  advised  to 
call  their  creditors  together  without  delay;  and  if, 
notwithstanding  this  advice,  such  persons  still  per- 
sist, and  run  into  embarrassment,  to  the  loss  of 
others,  and  to  their  own  disreputation,  the  Prepara- 
tive or  Monthly  Meeting  to  which  they  belong, 
ought  to  be  timely  informed  thereof,  and  proceed  to 
treat  with  them  according  to  our  rules:  when,  if  this 
labor  also  prove  inetlectual,  a  testimony  of  denial 
may  be  issued  against  them. 

It  is  directed,  that  where  such  failures  occur,  and 


TRADE.  89 

the  cases  are  under  the  care  of  Monthly  Meetings, 
that  the  Friends  appointed  to  visit  the  parties,  in- 
quire of  their  assignees,  or  trustees,  how  their  defi- 
ciencies have  happened,  and  report  accordingly. 
And  it  is  the  judgment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that 
neither  Monthly  nor  other  Meetings  should  receive 
subscriptions,  donations,  nor  bequests,  from  persons 
so  circumstanced,  until  they  have  paid  of!  their  de- 
ficiencies, or  are  voluntarily  acquitted  thereof  by 
their  creditors:  for  it  should  be  remembered,  that 
though  in  such  cases,  the  defaulter  may  have  been 
legally  discharged,  the  property  he  may  afterwards 
acquire  is  not  properly  his  own,  till  he  has  fairly  paid 
off  his  former  debts,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  credi- 
tors. Wherefore,  we  further  direct,  that  if  any  such 
person  or  persons,  on  being  suitably  reminded  of 
their  duty  in  this  respect,  shall  refuse  to  comply 
therewith,  inquiry  be  made  into  the  reason,  and  if 
it  be  not  such  as  shall  satisfy  the  Monthly  Meetings 
of  which  they  are  members,  and  they  cannot  be 
prevailed  with;  the  said  meetings,  after  a  proper 
time  of  labor  and  forbearance,  may  issue  a  testimony 
of  denial  against  them. 

We  also  desire,  that  when  Friends  accept  the 
office  of  assignee,  or  trustee,  they  be  active  in  col- 
lecting the  effects  of  the  estate,  and  punctual  and 
speedy  in  making  distribution. 

We  warn  our  members  against  a  pernicious  prac- 
tice amongst  the  trading  part  of  the  community, 
which  has  often  terminated  in  the  ruin  of  those  con- 
cerned therein,  viz.  that  of  raising  and  circulating  a 
kind  of  paper  credit,  with  endorsements,  to  give  it 
an  appearance  of  value,  without  an  intrinsic  reality; 
a  practice,  which  as  it  appears  to  be  inconsistent 
with  the  truth  we  profess,  we  declare  our  disappro- 
8* 


90  TKADE. 

bation  of,  and  entreat  every  member  of  our  society 
to  avoid  and  discourage. 

We  also  caution  all  in  membership  with  us,  to  be 
careful  how  they  enter  into  joint  securities  with 
others,  under  the  specious  plea  of  rendering  acts  of 
kindness;  many,  by  so  doing,  having  been  suddenly 
ruined,  and  their  innocent  wives  and  children  re- 
duced to  deplorable  circumstances.  "Be  not  thou" 
said  the  wise  man,  "  one  of  them  that  strike  hands, 
"  or  of  them  that  are  sureties  for  debts:  if  thou  hast 
"  nothing  to  pay,  why  should  he  take  away  thy  bed 
"from  under  thee?" 

It  is  the  affectionate  desire  of  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, that  Friends  may  wait  for  divine  counsel  in  all 
their  engagements,  and  not  suffer  their  minds  to  be 
carried  away  by  an  inordinate  desire  of  worldly 
riches;  remembering  the  observation  of  the  Apostle 
in  his  day,  and  so  often  sorrowfully  verified  in  ours; 
"they  who  will  be  rich,  fall  into  temptation,  and  a 
snare,  and  erring  from  the  faith,  pierce  themselves 
through  with  many  sorrows."  Even  when  riches 
to  any  extraordinary  degree  have  been  amassed,  by 
the  successful  industry  of  parents,  how  often  have 
they  proved  like  wings  to  their  children,  carrying 
them  beyond  the  limitations  of  truth,  into  liberties 
repugnant  to  our  religious  testimonies,  and  some- 
times into  enterprises,  which  have  terminated  in 
irreparable  damage  to  their  temporal  affairs,  if  not 
an  entire  forgetfulness  of  the  great  work  of  their 
souls'  salvation. 


WAR.  91 

We  do  not  condemn  industry;  we  believe  it  to  be 
not  only  praise-worthy,  but  indispensable;  it  is  the 
desire  of  great  things,  and  the  engrossment  of  the 
time  and  attention,  from  which  we  desire,  that  our 
dear  Friends  may  be  preserved.  We  doubtless  owe 
duties  to  ourselves,  and  our  families,  but  do  we  not 
owe  even  ourselves  to  our  all-wise,  all-protecting 
and  provident  Creator? 

WAR. 

Believing,  as  we  do,  that  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel 
breathes  "  peace  on  earth  and  good  will  to  men,"  it 
is  the  earnest  concern  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that 
Friends  may  adhere  faithfully  lo  our  ancient  testi- 
mony against  wars  and  fightings,  avoiding  to  unite 
with  any  in  warlike  measures,  either  ofiensive  or 
defensive;  that  by  the  innocency  of  our  conduct,  we 
may  convincingly  demonstrate  ourselves  to  be  real 
subjects  of  the  Messiah's  peaceful  reign,  and  be 
instrumental  in  the  promotion  thereof,  towards  its 
desired  completion;  when,  according  to  ancient 
prophecy,  "  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge 
"  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea ;  and  its 
"inhabitants  shall  learn  war  no  more." 

In  relation  to  this  testimony,  it  is  our  judgment 
that  when  goods  have  been  distrained  from  any,  on 
account  of  a  refusal  to  pay  fines  for  non-performance 
of  military  services,  and  the  officers,  after  deducting 
the  fines  and  costs,  propose  to  return  the  remainder, 
that  Friends  should  maintain  their  testimony  by 
suffering,  rather  than  accept  such  overplus,  unless 
the  same,  or  a  part  of  it  is  returned,  without  a  change 
of  the  species. 

That  furnishing  wagons,  or  other  means  for  con- 
veying of  military  stores,  is  a  military  service:  and 
the  care  ol  elders,  overseers,  and  faithful  Friends, 


92  WAR. 

should  be  extended,  in  christian  tenderness  and  love, 
to  such  as  deviate  herein,  in  order  to  convince  them 
of  their  error. 

And  that  a  tax  levied  for  the  purchasing  of  drums, 
colors,  or  for  other  warlike  uses,  cannot  be  paid 
consistently  with  our  christian  testimony. 

It  is  the  fervent  concern  of  ihe  Yearly  Meeting, 
to  recommend  to  the  deep  attention  of  all  our  mem- 
bers, that  they  be  religiously  guarded  against  appro- 
ving or  showing  the  least  connivance  at  war,  either 
by  attending  at,  or  viewing  of  military  operations, 
or  in  anywise  encouraging  the  unstable,  deceitful 
spirit  of  party,  by  joining  with  political  devices  or 
associations,  however  speciously  disguised,  under 
the  ensnaring  subtleties  commonly  attendant  there- 
on: but  that  they  sincerely  labor  to  experience  a 
settlement  on  the  alone  sure  foundation,  of  pure, 
unchangeable  truth;  whereby,  through  the  preva- 
lence of  unfeigned  christian  love,  and  good  will  to 
men,  we  may  convincingly  demonstrate,  that  the 
kingdom  we  seek  is  not  of  this  world;  but  a  king- 
dom and  government  whose  subjects  are  free  indeed, 
redeemed  from  those  captivating  lusts,  from  whence 
come  wars  and  fio^tino^s. 

And  that  the  members  of  our  religious  society 
would  carefully  avoid  engaging  in  any  trade  or  busi- 
ness promotive  of  war,  sharing  or  partaking  of  the 
spoils  of  war,  by  purchasing  or  selling  prize-goods, 
importing  or  shipping  goods  in  armed  vessels,  pay- 
ing taxes  for  the  express  purpose  of  war,  or  from 
pecuniary  motives  grinding  of  grain,  feeding  of  cat- 
tle, or  disposing  of  their  property,  for  the  use  of  the 
army;  that  through  a  close  attention  to  the  moni- 
tions of  divine  grace,  and  guarding  against  the  sup- 
pression of  it,  either  in  themselves  or  others,  they 
may  be  preserved  in  a  conduct  consistent  with  our 
holy  profession,  and  from  wounding  the  minds  or 
increasing  the  sufle rings  of  each  other;  not  at  all 


WAR.  93 

doubting,  that  he  to  whom  appertains  the  kingdom, 
and  the  power,  who  is  wonderful  in  w^orking,  will 
continue  to  carry  on  and  perfect  his  blessed  cause  of 
peace  on  the  earth.  A  due  attention  to  this  concern 
is  recommended  to  Quarterly,  Monthly,  and  Prepa- 
rative Meetings,  and  to  Friends  in  general ;  it  being 
the  judgment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that  if  any  of 
our  members  do,  either  openly,  or  by  connivance, 
pay  any  fine,  penalty,  or  tax,  in  lieu  of  personal 
service  for  carrying  on  war,  or  allow  their  children, 
apprentices,  or  servants,  who  are  members,  to  act 
therein,  or  are  concerned  in  arming  or  equipping 
vessels  with  guns,  or  deal  in  public  certificates  issued 
as  a  compensation  for  expenses  accrued,  or  services 
performed  in  war,  that  they  be  tenderly  treated  with, 
and  if  they  cannot  be  brought  to  an  acknowledg- 
ment of  their  error.  Monthly  Meetings  are  author- 
ised to  disown  them. 

It  is  further  the  sense  and  judgment  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  that  it  is  inconsistent  with  our  religious 
testimony  and  principle,  for  any  Friend  to  pay  a 
fine  or  tax,  levied  on  account  of  their  refusal  to  mus- 
ter or  to  serve  in  the  militia,  although  such  fine  or 
imposition  may  be  applied  towards  defraying  the 
expenses  of  civil  government;  and  where  deviations 
in  this  respect  occur,  tender  dealing  and  advice 
should  be  extended  to  the  party,  in  order  to  their 
convincement  and  restoration;  and  if  this  prove 
ineflfectual.  Monthly  Meetings  should  proceed  to 
disown  them. 

And  finally,  dear  Friends,  upon  the  calamitous 
subject  of  war,  you  are  not  ignorant  of  what  adorns 
our  profession'.  Let  us  seek  peace  and  pursue  it, 
remembering  that  we  are  called  to  love.  Oh!  that 
the  smallest  germ  of  enmity  might  be  eradicated 
from  our  enclosure :  and  truly  there  is  a  soil  in  which 


94  WILLS. 

it  cannot  live;  this  soil  is  christian  humility.  May 
we  therefore  be  peaceable  ourselves,  in  words  and 
actions,  seeking  for  that  disposition,  in  which  we  can 
pray  to  the  Father  of  the  Universe,  that  he  may 
breathe  the  spirit  of  reconciliation  into  the  hearts  of 
his  erring  and  contending  creatures. 

WILLS. 

Knowing  how  quickly  many  are  removed  by 
death,  it  is  weightily  recommended  by  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  that  care  be  taken  by  each  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, that  Friends  who  have  estates  to  dispose  of,  be 
advised  to  make  their  wills  in  time  of  health,  and 
strength  of  judgment,  and  therein  to  direct  their 
substance  as  in  justice  and  wisdom  may  be  to  their 
satisfaction  and  peace;  laying  aside  all  resentment, 
though  occasion  may  have  been  given,  lest  it  should 
go  with  them  to  the  grave;  remembering  we  all 
stand  in  need  of  mercy  and  forgiveness.  Making 
such  wills  in  due  time  can  shorten  no  one's  days; 
but  the  omission  or  delay  thereof  to  a,  time  of  sick- 
ness, when  the  mind  should  not  be  diverted  from  a 
solemn  consideration  of  the  approaching  awful  pe- 
riod of  life,  has  often  proved  very  injurious  to  many, 
and  been  the  occasion  of  creating  discontents  and 
animosities  in  families,  which  the  more  seasonable 
and  deliberate  performance  of  this  necessary  duty 
might  have  prevented. 

We  also  recommend  to  Friends,  to  employ  per- 
sons of  competent  legal  knowledge,  to  write  their 
wills,  as  great  inconvenience  and  injury  to  families 


YEARLY    MEETING.  95 

has  sometimes  happened,  through  the  unskilfulness 
of  some  who  have  taken  upon  them  to  write  wills. 

We  further  desire,  that  executors  and  trustees, 
concerned  in  wills,  and  settlements,  may  take  espe- 
cial care  to  discharge  faithfully  their  respective 
trusts,  according  to  the  intent  of  the  donors  and  tes- 
tators; and  that  all  charitable  gifts,  legacies,  bequests 
and  settlement  of  estates,  by  will  or  deed,  intended 
and  given  for  the  use  of  the  poor,  the  aged,  the  im- 
potent, or  for  the  education  or  apprenticeships  of  the 
children  of  poor  Friends,  may  not  be  appropriated 
or  converted  to  any  other  uses  than  such  as  the 
donors  or  testators  have  directed.  A  violation 
herein,  being  an  obvious  perversion  of  justice,  of- 
fenders in  these  respects  should  be  dealt  with;  and 
unless  they  make  due  satisfaction  to  the  injured 
parties,  and  to  the  meeting  to  which  they  belong, 
should  be  disowned. 

YEARLY  MEETING. 

Indiana  Yearly  Meeting  was  set  off  from  the 
Yearly  Meeting  of  Ohio,  and  is  composed  of  Friends 
in  the  states  of  Indiana  and  Illinois  and  in  the  west- 
ern parts  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  &c.  The  first  Yearly 
Meeting  in  Indiana  was  held  at  White  Water,  in  the 
Tenth  month,  1821.  It  is  now  established  to  be 
held  at  White  Water,  in  Wayne  county,  Indiana, 
on  Fifth-day,  preceding  the  first  First-day  in  the 
Tenth  month,  each  year,  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  A  meeting  for  worship  will  be  held  on 
Fourth-day  preceding,  at  eleven  o'clock,  and  two 
on  First-day  following,  one  at  ten  in  the  morning, 
and  the  other  at  three  in  the  afternoon. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  is 
held  on  Third-day  preceding  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
at  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

The  representatives  from  the  Quarterly  Meetings 


96  YEARLY    MEETING. 

both  men  and  women,  are  annually  to  choose  a  clerk, 
and  an  assistant,  at  the  close  of  the  first  sitting  of 
the  Meeting  for  Discipline,  whose  names  are  to  be 
reported  at  the  opening  of  the  next  sitting. 

Representatives  having  the  care  of  the  Reports 
from  the  Quarterly  Meetings,  are  to  put  them  into 
the  hands  of  the  clerk  to  the  meeting  for  the  prece- 
ding year,  before  the  opening  of  the  Meeting  for 
Discipline,  in  order  that  time  may  be  saved  to  the 
meeting,  by  a  previous  entry  of  the  names  of  repre- 
sentatives. No  representative  ought  to  withdraw 
from  the  Yearly  Meeting  before  it  ends,  without 
leave  being  first  requested  and  granted. 

All  communications  directed  to  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, except  from  such  meetings  as  correspond  regu- 
larly therewith,  are  to  be  previously  perused  by  a 
nomination  of  Friends  for  the  purpose;  who  are  to 
consider  and  report,  whether  the  same  be  proper  to 
be  read  in  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

The  design  of  our  Annual  Meetings  in  their  first 
constitution,  being  in  order  to  a  general  oversight, 
and  care  of  the  Churches,  pertaining  to  our  christian 
communion,  it  remains  to  be  our  fervent  desire,  that 
good  order,  unity  and  concord  may  be  maintained 
amongst  us.  We  know  that  love  and  unity,  founded 
upon  christian  principles,  are  promotive  of  truth  and 
righteousness  amongst  ourselves,  and  we  believe 
also,  that  when  conspicuous  in  us,  they  have  their 
influence  upon  those  around  us.  Under  these  con- 
siderations, we  fervently  desire,  and  humbly  hope, 
that  He  who  hath,  to  the  present  day,  preserved  us 
a  people  highly  favored,  will  be  graciously  pleased 
still  to  animate  us  with  a  zealous  concern,  that  love 
and  good  will  may  predominate  in  us  individually, 
and  that  union,  peace,  and  concord,  may  prevail  in 
every  department  of  the  family.  And  finally, 
Friends,  collectively  and  individually,  may  all  our 


CERTIFICATE   AND    TESTIFICATION.  97 

meetings  be  held  with  weight,  as  in  the  immediate 
presence  of  the  Head  of  the  Church;  may  the  aged 
amongst  us  be  exEmples  of  every  christian  virtue, 
and  evince  by  the  calmness  of  their  evening,  that 
their  day  has  been  blest:  May  the  middle  aged  not 
faint  in  their  stations;  but  together  with  their  elder 
and  younger  brethren,  firmly  support,  yea,  exalt  the 
several  testimonies  which  we  are  called  to  maintain. 
And,  Oh!  may  the  beloved  youth  bend  early  and 
cheerfully,  under  the  forming  power  of  truth;  that 
each  standing  in  his  allotment,  the  harmony  of  the 
building  may  be  preserved,  and  we  truly  grow  up 
into  a  holy  Temple  for  the  Lord. 


The  following  are  recommended  as  suitable  forms  for  Certificates  of 
Removal,  and  Testifications,  to  be  varied  according  to  circumstances : 

CERTIFICATE  OF  REMOVAL. 
To  M Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends. 

Dear  Friends, 

A.  B.,  and  C.  his  wife,  members  of  this  meeting,  having 
semoved  with  their  minor  children,  D.,  E..  and  F.,  and 
rettled  within  the  h'mits  of  your  meeting,  request  has  been 
made  for  our  certificate  ol'  their  right  of  membership.  This 
is  therefore  to  certify,  that  on  due  inquiry  respecting  their 
conduct,  and  the  proper  adjustment  of  their  outward  affairs, 
no  obstruction  appears  to  the  issuing  of  a  certificate  in  their 
behalf.  We  therefore  recommend  them  to  you,  and  remain 
in  love,  your  friends. 

Signed  by  direction  and  on  behalf  of  S" Monthly 

Meeting  of  Friends,  held month 18 — . 

Y.  Y.,  Correspondent.  r!  T.'  (  ^^^'•^'*- 

TESTIFICATION. 

A.  B.  who  has  had  a  right  of  membership  in  the  Society 

of  Friends,  has for  which  he  has  been 

treated  with,  without  the  desired  effect: — we  therefore  dis- 
own him  from  being  a  member  with  us. 

Signed  in  and  by  direction  of Monthly  Meeting 

of  Friends,  held  .^p—  day  of month  18 — . 

9  C.  D.,  Clerk. 


•« 


>^j*^  -•^iJKSly>?^ 


M^  14  DAY  USE  ^   [ 

^^(^  J  RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED    ^ 
^^  LOAN  DEPT. 


This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below  or      ^ 
on  the  date  to  which  renewed.  '  l^ 

Renewed  books  are  subjeatp£i§nid&t49fiai2  3  '^   ^ 

STePSSJU 


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